Heuristic
Use a table only when the rows answer the same question
Tables clarify comparison; they can hide narrative dependencies.
When it fits
- A table is added because the content feels complex.
When to avoid it
- Accessibility and mobile viewing can make wide tables hard to use; choose another structure when needed.
Why it matters
Use a table when items share comparable attributes: option, owner, state, risk or date. If cells become paragraphs or each row needs different logic, switch back to short sections. Name the comparison question above the table.
An example
Three migration options fit a table with effort, risk and reversibility; a root-cause explanation does not.
Check your result
The reader can scan across rows without decoding different meanings in each cell.
Keep this limit in mind
- Accessibility and mobile viewing can make wide tables hard to use; choose another structure when needed.
Evidence and sources
Supports
CDC guidance recommends lists, chunks and descriptive headings to make information easier to scan and organize.
Very short messages may not need headings; structure should match complexity.
Description and Examples of Index Items · Core items 8 through 10