tufte-tables-and-text-tables

Use a data table instead of a chart when your dataset is small, typically under twenty numbers, or when precise value reading is required. Tables maximize analytical impact by ensuring exact readability where graphics would obscure specific values.

Design a high-density supertable by applying data-ink maximization principles, clustering rows topically, and sequencing rows logically. This structured grammar outperforms multiple small charts by packing more analytical value into a single, readable display format.

A semi-graphic table integrates graphical properties like slopes or glyphs directly into table rows. This hybrid approach adds a secondary visual reading dimension for trends without sacrificing the precise numeric accuracy that full graphics often lose.

Audit a table for data-ink maximization by checking adherence to the twenty-number rule, verifying logical row ordering, and removing extraneous formatting. This ensures topical clustering and optimal data density for the reader's analytical task.

For large datasets, this approach transitions from sentences and text-tables to full graphics. Supertables are effective for high-density display, but the framework specifically selects full graphics over tables when data volume exceeds precise reading thresholds.