Understanding Lists and Tables
When to Use Lists
Lists organize information and make it scannable. Use them when you have:
- 3 or more related items that would be confusing as a paragraph
- Steps in a process (use numbered lists)
- Features or options (use bulleted lists)
Bulleted Lists
Use when order doesn't matter:- Meeting attendees
- Required skills
- Product features
Numbered Lists
Use when order matters:- Step-by-step instructions
- Rankings or priorities
- Sequential processes
List Best Practices
- Keep items parallel (start each with a verb, or each with a noun)
- Don't use lists for 1-2 items (just write a sentence)
- Don't create manual lists with "- " or "1. " text — use proper list formatting
When to Use Tables
Tables are perfect for comparing data across categories:
| Use a Table When... | Don't Use a Table When... |
|---|---|
| Comparing items side-by-side | You only have one column of data |
| Showing data with rows and columns | The data is narrative text |
| Organizing structured information | You have fewer than 3 rows |
Table Best Practices
- Always include a header row (bold, descriptive column names)
- Keep columns to 2-5 (more than 5 becomes hard to read)
- Align text left, numbers right
- Don't use tables for layout purposes
What You'll Practice
In this module, you'll:
- Convert plain text into a properly formatted bulleted list
- Build a data table from scratch with proper header formatting
Let's organize some information!