NICE style guide

Alt text

Use alt (alternative) text in table properties in Word to add description to tables. Right click on the table and select 'properties' and 'alt text'. Alt text means someone using a screenreader can quickly understand what the table is showing and skip it if they want to.

Alt text should describe what the table is showing. We've given some suggested wording in the examples section.

Formatting

Use the table styles in the NICE template you are using.

Use numerals and align numbers to the right. Add an en dash if you do not have any data in a cell, rather than leaving the cell blank.

Use a header row and set it to repeat across pages if you're creating a document. In table properties, ensure that 'allow rows to break across pages' is unchecked.

Do not use shading or dotted lines to define sections within a table.

Abbreviations and footnotes

Define all abbreviations used in the table underneath the table, unless the abbreviation has been used many times in the text (for example, HCV in hepatitis C guidance). See table 9 for an example.

Do not use footnotes to explain exceptions or highlight particular aspects, but instead explain underneath the table, as in table 8.

Examples

(Alt text: The number of people treated with placebo, Y, or X and Y who had nausea, local irritation, or who left the study because of adverse effects.)

One other person reported local irritation in the placebo group but there was no evidence on examination.

(Alt text: The existing treatment costs, cost using Fearfighter, and the difference between the 2 for people treated with antidepressant medication, CBT, brief CBT and bibliotherapy.)

Table abbreviations: CBT, cognitive behavioural therapy; SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

(Alt text: The minimum and maximum cost of using different types of Sternal Talon configurations and descriptions of the studies the costs came from.)