Tables and figures in Harvard referencing are numbered sequentially, given a descriptive title or caption, and cited in the body text by their number. Tables present data in rows and columns; figures include everything else — charts, graphs, diagrams, photographs, maps, and illustrations. When a table or figure is reproduced or adapted from another source, the original must be credited in both the caption and the reference list.
Tables vs. Figures — When to Use Which
The distinction is straightforward:
| Element | Used For | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Table | Structured data in rows and columns | Survey results, statistical comparisons, demographic breakdowns |
| Figure | Any visual that is not a table | Bar charts, pie charts, photographs, flowcharts, maps, diagrams |
If your data can be read efficiently in a grid, use a table. If a visual representation adds clarity or impact, use a figure. Avoid duplicating the same data in both a table and a figure — choose the format that communicates most effectively.
Table Formatting
Number and Title
Place the table number and title above the table, on separate lines or on the same line depending on your institution's guide. Use bold for the table number:
Table 1Dropout rates by region, 2018–2022
Or:
Table 1:Dropout rates by region, 2018–2022
Use sentence case for the title — capitalise only the first word and proper nouns.
Source Note
If the data comes from another source, add a source note below the table. The note should include enough detail to match the reference list entry:
Source: Adapted from Office for National Statistics (2023, p. 12).
If you created the table yourself from your own data, no source note is needed.
Example: Table With a Source
Table 2: Mean satisfaction scores by department
Department 2021 2022 2023 Marketing 4.2 4.5 4.3 Engineering 3.8 4.0 4.1 Human Resources 4.6 4.4 4.7 Source: Reproduced from Chen and Okafor (2024, p. 88).
In the body text, refer to it by number:
As Table 2 shows, Human Resources consistently recorded the highest satisfaction scores across the three-year period (Chen and Okafor, 2024).
Figure Formatting
Number and Caption
Place the figure number and caption below the figure. Use bold for the figure number:
Figure 1:Distribution of responses by age group (n = 1,240).
Or, if your institution prefers a separate line:
Figure 1Distribution of responses by age group (n = 1,240).
Source Note
As with tables, add a source note if the figure is reproduced or adapted from another work. Place it immediately after the caption:
Figure 2:Annual CO₂ emissions by sector, 2010–2023. Source: Adapted from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2024, p. 34).
Example: Figure From Your Own Data
If you created the figure from your own research, you still need a number and caption — but no source note:
Figure 3:Participant responses to the question "How confident are you in your referencing skills?" (n = 312).
Placement — In-Text vs. Appendix
There are two common approaches:
- Embedded in the text — place the table or figure as close as possible to where it is first mentioned. This is the default for most assignments.
- Appendix — some institutions or disciplines require all tables and figures to appear in an appendix at the end of the paper, with cross-references in the body text.
Check your module handbook or institution's Harvard guide. If tables and figures go in an appendix, label them with the appendix letter:
See Table A1 in Appendix A.
Referencing Tables and Figures in the Body Text
Every table and figure must be mentioned at least once in the text. Refer to them by number, not by vague phrases like "the table below" or "the following chart":
| Do This | Not This |
|---|---|
| As shown in Table 1… | As shown in the table below… |
| Figure 3 illustrates… | The following figure illustrates… |
| The data in Table 2 suggest… | The data in this table suggest… |
This keeps references unambiguous — especially when the document is reformatted and the table or figure shifts position.
When introducing a table or figure, briefly explain what the reader should notice:
Figure 4 shows that respondents aged 18–24 were significantly more likely to report anxiety symptoms than those aged 45–54.
Avoid simply restating every data point — the table or figure already does that. Instead, highlight the key trend, comparison, or finding.
Citing the Original Source
When a table or figure is reproduced or adapted from a published source, you must credit the original in two places:
- Source note beneath the table or figure (as shown above)
- Reference list — a full Harvard entry for the original source
Reproduced vs. Adapted
| Term | Meaning | Source Note Wording |
|---|---|---|
| Reproduced | Copied exactly as it appears in the original | Source: Reproduced from Author (Year, p. X). |
| Adapted | Modified from the original (e.g., columns removed, data recalculated) | Source: Adapted from Author (Year, p. X). |
If you created the table or figure yourself — even using published data — use "Data from" rather than "Reproduced from":
Source: Data from World Bank (2024).
Reference List Entry
The reference list entry follows the standard Harvard format for whatever the original source is — book, journal article, report, website, etc. No special formatting is needed for the fact that it was used as the source of a table or figure.
Chen, L. and Okafor, D. (2024) 'Employee satisfaction trends in UK technology firms', Journal of Organisational Behaviour, 39(2), pp. 80–96. doi:10.1234/job.2024.0039.
Examples for Different Visual Types
Chart or Graph
Figure 5:Revenue growth by quarter, 2022–2024. Source: Adapted from Patel (2024, p. 67).
In-text: Figure 5 reveals a consistent upward trend in revenue across all four quarters of 2023 (Patel, 2024).
Photograph
Figure 6:The exterior of the Bauhaus building in Dessau, Germany. Source: Photograph by Müller (2019).
In-text: The Bauhaus building's glass curtain wall (Figure 6) exemplifies the movement's emphasis on functional materials (Müller, 2019).
Diagram or Flowchart
Figure 7:Decision-making process for ethical review applications. Source: Reproduced from University of Edinburgh (2023, p. 5).
In-text: The ethical review process (Figure 7) includes three decision points at which an application may be referred back to the researcher (University of Edinburgh, 2023).
Data Table From a Government Source
Table 3:UK unemployment rates by region, January 2024. Source: Data from Office for National Statistics (2024).
In-text: Table 3 shows that the North East had the highest unemployment rate at 5.2% in January 2024 (Office for National Statistics, 2024).
Common Mistakes With Tables and Figures
| Mistake | Why It's Wrong | Correct Approach |
|---|---|---|
| No number or title/caption | The reader can't refer to the visual by name | Always number tables and figures sequentially and include a descriptive title or caption |
| Placing the caption above a figure | Harvard convention puts figure captions below, table titles above | Table title above; figure caption below |
| Saying "see below" or "the following table" | Positions may shift during formatting | Refer to tables and figures by number |
| Missing source note for reproduced material | Failing to credit the original is plagiarism | Add a source note and a reference list entry |
| Duplicating data in both a table and a figure | Redundant and wastes the reader's time | Choose the clearest format for the data |
| Using "Table" and "Figure" numbering interchangeably | Tables and figures are numbered in separate sequences | Table 1, Table 2… and Figure 1, Figure 2… are independent |
What's Next?
Now that you know how to format tables and figures, explore these related guides:
- Harvard Referencing Example Paper — see tables and figures in context in a fully annotated sample paper
- Harvard Format Paper — page layout, margins, headings, and overall paper formatting
- Harvard Reference List — how to format the reference list entries for your table and figure sources
