Tables and Figures in APA 7: Labels, Titles, Notes, Citations
Reviewed by Prof. Dr. Alexander Holtermann · Updated 16 October 2026 · 5 min read
In APA 7, label tables and figures in bold (Table 1), add an italic title in title case above, put notes below, and cite any source in a copyright note.
Key takeaways
- APA 7 formats tables and figures the same way: bold number (Table 1, Figure 1), italic title in title case on the next line, both above the table or figure.
- Notes go below: general note, specific notes (superscript letters), and probability notes (* p < .05).
- Every table and figure must be referred to in the text by its number (“as shown in Table 2”) and should be understandable on its own.
- Reproduced or adapted material needs a copyright attribution in the note (“From…” or “Adapted from…”) and may require permission.
- Other styles differ: Chicago and many UK Harvard guides put figure captions below the figure.
Tables vs. figures
In APA style, a table displays numbers or text in rows and columns; everything else visual (charts, graphs, diagrams, photos, maps, drawings) is a figure. Use a table when readers need exact values; use a figure when the pattern or trend matters more than the exact numbers. Do not show the same data in both forms.
One rule beats every guide on the internet, including this one: your own university’s or department’s style guide, handbook, or assignment brief always takes precedence. If it differs from what you read here, follow it. You can upload that handbook to Professor Digital, and everything (outline, citations, checks) is tailored to it.
| Use a table when… | Use a figure when… |
|---|---|
| Exact values matter (means, SDs, test statistics) | A trend, comparison, or pattern is the message |
| You compare many variables or groups | You show a process, model, or relationship |
| You present text categories (e.g., themes with quotes) | You show images, maps, or screenshots |
APA 7 table format
APA tables have four main parts: number, title, body, and note. The design is minimal: use horizontal lines only where needed (typically above and below the column headings and at the bottom), and no vertical lines.
- Number: bold, flush left, above the table: Table 1.
- Title: one double-spaced line below the number, italic, title case: Descriptive Statistics for Study Variables.
- Headings: every column has a heading, including the leftmost (stub) column.
- Body: single, one-and-a-half, or double spacing; decimals aligned; consistent number of decimal places.
- Note: below the table, starting with “Note.” in italics, for abbreviations, sources, and explanations.
- Placement: after the paragraph where it is first mentioned, or each on a separate page after the reference list.
| Variable | M | SD | n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly working hours | 14.2 | 8.7 | 210 |
| Perceived stress (1–5) | 3.4 | 0.9 | 208 |
| Exam score (0–100) | 67.8 | 12.1 | 195 |
APA 7 figure format
Figures follow the same pattern as tables: bold number, italic title, image, note. Make sure the figure is legible in black and white or with an accessible color palette, labels are readable, axes are labeled with units, and a legend appears within the figure if needed.
- Figure 1 (bold) above the image.
- Title in italic title case on the next line: Mean Exam Scores by Weekly Working Hours.
- The image itself, with labeled axes and legend.
- Note. below the image for explanations and copyright attribution.
- Use sans-serif fonts between 8 and 14 points inside the figure.
Citing tables and figures from other sources
If you reproduce (copy exactly) or adapt (modify) a table or figure from another source, you must credit it in the note, and for publication you may need permission from the copyright holder. For student papers, attribution is usually enough, but check your instructor’s rules. Cite the source in the reference list as usual.
| Situation | Note wording (APA 7 pattern) |
|---|---|
| Reproduced | Note. From “Title of Article,” by A. Author and B. Author, Year, Journal Name, 14(2), p. 120 (https://doi.org/…). Copyright Year by Copyright Holder. |
| Adapted | Note. Adapted from Title of Book (p. 45), by A. Author, Year, Publisher. Copyright Year by Copyright Holder. |
| Your own data | No attribution needed; describe data source in the methods. |
| Open license (e.g., CC BY) | Note. From … (license name and link). Permission not required, attribution is. |
Referring to tables and figures in your text
Each table and figure must be mentioned in the text before it appears, and numbered in the order of first mention. Refer to it by number, not by position (“the table below”), because layout can shift. Tell the reader what to notice, but do not repeat every value.
Differences in other styles and in dissertations
Not every style places labels the same way. Dissertations also usually require a list of tables and a list of figures after the table of contents. Use your word processor’s caption function so these lists can be generated automatically.
| Style | Table label and title | Figure label and caption |
|---|---|---|
| APA 7 | Above: bold number, italic title | Above: bold number, italic title |
| MLA 9 | Above: “Table 1” and title | Below: “Fig. 1.” and caption with source |
| Chicago | Above: number and title | Below: caption |
| Harvard (UK, typical) | Above | Often below; follow your guide |
Frequently asked questions
How do you label a table in APA 7?
Put “Table 1” in bold above the table, then the title in italic title case on the next line. Notes go below the table, starting with “Note.” in italics.
Do figure titles go above or below in APA?
Above. In APA 7, both the bold figure number and the italic title go above the figure; notes go below. Other styles, like Chicago and MLA, put figure captions below.
How do you cite a figure from another source in APA?
Add a note below the figure starting with “From” (reproduced) or “Adapted from” (modified), with author, title, year, source, and copyright information, and include the source in your reference list.
Do tables count toward the word count?
It depends on your university. Many exclude tables and figures; some include table text. Check your handbook.
Can I put tables in the appendix?
Yes, if they provide supplementary detail. Tables essential for your argument belong in the main text; extensive or secondary tables can go in an appendix.
Can I paste SPSS output tables directly into my thesis?
Usually not as they are: SPSS tables contain extra lines, columns and labels. Rebuild them in Word or LaTeX in APA format, or use JASP or jamovi, which produce APA-style tables you can copy with little editing.
Sources and further reading
- American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.
- Modern Language Association of America. (2021). MLA Handbook (9th ed.). Modern Language Association of America.
- University of Chicago Press. (2024). The Chicago Manual of Style (18th ed.). University of Chicago Press.
Your university’s examination regulations and style guide always take precedence.
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