tablefootnote

A tablefootnote is a short note linked to a specific cell, row, or column within a table to provide extra information, clarification, or a data source without cluttering the table body. It helps readers understand exceptional values, estimation methods, or constraints that apply only to particular data points.

Footnotes are typically indicated by superscript markers such as letters (a, b, c), numbers (1, 2, 3), or symbols (*, †, ‡). If multiple notes are needed, a standardized sequence of markers is used, and the corresponding notes appear beneath the table. In some styles, separate notes may be grouped under a “Notes” or “Footnotes” heading and explicitly linked to their markers.

In typesetting and document preparation, several approaches exist. In LaTeX, packages such as tablefootnote or threeparttable enable placing footnotes inside a table and rendering them at the bottom of the page or table. In HTML and word processors, footnotes are often implemented by a superscript reference that links to a note at the bottom of the table or page. It is common to distinguish table footnotes from caption notes, which describe the table as a whole, while footnotes annotate specific data points.

Best practices include keeping notes concise, tying each note to a single data point, avoiding redundancy, and ensuring markers are easy to read and consistently applied. Accessibility considerations suggest linking markers and notes so screen readers can convey the relationship clearly to users.