Figures and Tables using APA Format

Figures can be in a form of charts, drawings, photos, or anything with visual appeal other than tables

Figure 1 represents the software development model used in this study.  The Rapid Application Development model is best suited to the study because ...

    Figure 1. The Rapid Application Development model used in the Study

**image courtesy of testingexcellence.com

Tables are used when presenting numbers and texts in an easy-to-read format.

The recommended hardware requirements will enable the system to operate faster and with greater efficiency compared with the minimum hardware requirements.  See Table 1 for the complete list of hardware requirements.

    Table 1. List of hardware peripherals to be used during system implementation.

Reasons for Using Figures and Tables
1. Effective Communication
2. Appealing Presentation

Guidelines in using Figures and Tables
1. Numbering - figures and tables should be numbered sequentially (e.g., Figure 1., Figure 2., and Table 1., Table 2.)
2. Labeling - place the label below for the figures and above for the tables.  Figure and table labels should be a short description and not a title.
3. Positioning - figures and tables should be placed below a paragraph in order to aid the readers. Explain what the reader will find and the relation of the figures and tables to the document.
4. In-text referencing - refer to the figure or table by number (e.g., Figure 1 shows that ...)
5. Diagram referencing - provide a reference every time a figure or table is adapted from another source.  Refer to the APA style in referencing figures and tables.