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APA Style Guide: 6th Edition

Table Notes

 

Table notes are placed at the bottom of a table and include information that will add clarity for the reader; for example, citation information and explanations of abbreviations/symbols will be found in a table note.

Not every table will include a note; for example, if you conducted your own research and are presenting your findings, a note may not be required.

There are 3 kinds of table notes:

A general note:

  • "qualifies, explains, or provides information relating to the table as a whole and ends with an explanation of any abbreviations, symbols, and the like" (APA, 2009, p. 138)
  • is preceded by Note. (Always italicized and followed by a period)
  • includes citations for each source of data used, preceded by 'Adapted from'
    • Each item cited in the table note must have a corresponding entry in the reference list

The following is an example of a table with a general note (in red):

 

A specific note:

  • refers to a specific column, row or cell
  • is indicated by superscript lowercase letters
  • is NOT preceded by Note.

The following is an example of a table with a specific note (in red):

A probability note: 

  • indicates how symbols are used in a table to explain values
  • is indicated by p
  • is NOT preceded by Note.

The following is an example of a table with a probability note (in red):