margintable

Margintable is a term used in document layout to describe a tabular element placed in the margin area of a page or screen. It refers to a table that appears alongside the main text, rather than within the main body flow, and is used to provide side information, references, or data that readers may consult without breaking the narrative. As of this writing, the term does not have a single standardized definition in major style guides, and its exact meaning can vary by system or author.

In practice, margintables function as marginal content and can be anchored to a specific point in the text. They may be fixed to the margin or allowed to flow with the page, depending on the publishing or display environment. Marginal notes and marginalia historically served similar purposes, and margintables extend this approach to tabular data, enabling quick reference without interrupting the main discourse.

Implementation and design considerations vary by platform. In print and traditional typesetting, margintables can be realized with margin notes or side tables using specialized tools or packages, such as those that support margin notes in LaTeX. In web and digital formats, margintables can be built with CSS layouts (floats or grids) and careful alignment to the page edge. Important considerations include readability, column width, and how the table behaves on different devices. Accessibility should address reading order, keyboard navigation, and captions.

See also: marginalia, margin note, margin table, side table, float.