Gixo Lumen · slide guide
Table Slide
A table slide shows structured data where the exact values matter. The decision that makes or breaks it is whether the audience needs the values at all — if they only need the pattern, a chart communicates it faster and a table actively hides it.
Last reviewed: August 2026
What belongs on it
- Six rows or fewer on screen. Longer tables belong in the appendix or a linked file.
- Four columns or fewer. Past that the type shrinks below readable size.
- One highlighted cell or row. Point at the thing the table exists to show.
- Units in the header, not every cell. Repeating '%' forty times adds noise.
- Right-aligned numbers, consistent decimals. Misaligned figures are hard to compare.
- A title that states the finding. 'Costs rose in three of five regions', not 'Regional costs'.
Getting it right
| Weak version | Stronger version |
|---|---|
| Twenty rows at 9pt | Six rows, appendix for the rest |
| Every cell equally weighted | One row highlighted |
| Mixed decimal places | Consistent precision, right-aligned |
| Title says 'Data' | Title states the finding |
| Table where a trend is the point | A chart instead |
Common mistakes
- Pasting a spreadsheet range. The most common cause of an unreadable slide.
- Using a table when the pattern is the point. Charts show shape; tables show values.
- Shrinking type to fit. If it needs 9pt, it needs fewer rows instead.
- No highlight. An unhighlighted table makes the audience hunt for the point.
- Screenshotting a spreadsheet. It cannot be edited, restyled or read on a projector.
Frequently asked questions
How many rows should a table slide have?
Six or fewer on screen, with four or fewer columns. Anything larger belongs in an appendix or a linked file.
When should I use a chart instead of a table?
When the pattern matters more than the values. Charts communicate trend and comparison faster; tables are for when someone needs the exact figure.
How do I make a table readable from the back of a room?
Cut rows rather than shrinking type, right-align numbers with consistent decimals, put units in the header, and highlight the one row that matters.
Should I paste a table from Excel?
Paste as an editable table rather than an image, then cut it down. A screenshot of a spreadsheet cannot be restyled and rarely reads on a projector.
What Lumen layout do I use?
The Table layout, which keeps tables as native editable objects through PPTX export rather than flattening them to images.
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