The most important principle to follow when creating a figure or table is to present information in a way that is easy for readers to understand. Provide sufficient information in the figure so readers do not need to read the text to understand it. When creating a figure, ensure you meet the following standards:
- images are clear
- lines are smooth and sharp
- font is legible and simple
- units of measurement are provided
- axes are clearly labeled
- elements within the figure are clearly labeled or explained
Use graphics software to create figures in APA Style papers. For example, use the built-in graphics features of your word-processing program (e.g., Microsoft Word or Excel) or dedicated programs such as Photoshop or Inkscape.
Placement of figures and tables in a paper
APA Style figures have these basic components:
There are two options for placing figures (and tables) in a paper. The first is to embed figures in the text after each is first mentioned (or "called out"); the second is to place each figure on a separate page after the reference list.
An embedded figure may take up an entire page; if the figure is short, however, text may appear on the same page as the figure. In that case, place the figure at the top or bottom of the page rather than in the middle. Also, add one blank double-spaced line between the figure and any text to improve the visual presentation.