# TexLive Tables

**Tables** are created with the `tabular` environment. Columns are separated by `&`, rows by `\\`. The first argument specifies column alignment: `l` (left), `c` (center), `r` (right).

```latex
\begin{tabular}{l c r}
Left & Center & Right \\
A & B & C \\
1 & 2 & 3
\end{tabular}
```

renders as a left-center-right aligned table. Each column inherits its alignment from the format string.

**Column separators** (vertical lines) and **row separators** (horizontal lines) use `|` and `\hline`:

```latex
\begin{tabular}{| l | c | r |}
\hline
Left & Center & Right \\
\hline
A & B & C \\
1 & 2 & 3 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
```

`|` creates vertical lines between columns; `\hline` creates horizontal lines. Too many lines make tables hard to read—prefer minimal lines (top, bottom, header separator).

**Multirow and multicolumn** span multiple cells. Use the `multirow` and `multicolumn` packages:

```latex
\usepackage{multirow}
\begin{tabular}{l l}
\multicolumn{2}{c}{Header} \\
A & B \\
\end{tabular}
```

`\multicolumn{2}{c}{Header}` spans 2 columns, centered. `\multirow{2}{*}{A}` spans 2 rows (requires the multirow package).

**The `table` environment** wraps `tabular` to add captions, labels, and positioning. Tables float to the top of a page by default with `[t]` option, or `[h]` (here), `[b]` (bottom), `[p]` (page).

```latex
\begin{table}[h]
\centering
\begin{tabular}{l c r}
A & B & C \\
1 & 2 & 3
\end{tabular}
\caption{Example table}
\label{tab:example}
\end{table}
```

The caption appears below the table. `\label{tab:example}` lets you reference it with `\ref{tab:example}` or `Table~\ref{tab:example}` (note the `~` tilde prevents line breaks between "Table" and its number).

**Formatting cells:** Bold headers with `\textbf`, colors with `\textcolor`, or alignment-specific commands. Long tables that span pages use the `longtable` package.

**Spacing:** Control column width with `p{width}` for paragraph columns: `\begin{tabular}{l p{5cm} r}` constrains the middle column to 5cm width with wrapping text.