Key takeaways
- Tables and figures must be numbered by chapter, captioned, and referenced before they appear.
- Reference formatting errors are the most common reason for formatting mark deductions.
- Consistency across all visuals and citations matters more than perfection in any single entry.
Tables, figures, and references make up the technical backbone of a professional project report. Evaluators notice formatting inconsistencies immediately—and deduct marks for them just as quickly. This guide covers the rules that apply at most Indian universities.
Formatting tables
- Number by chapter: Table 3.2 is the second table in Chapter 3.
- Caption above the table: 'Table 4.1: Response Rate by Department'.
- Reference in text before the table appears: 'As shown in Table 4.1…'
- Use Word table tool—not tabs or spaces—for alignment.
- Repeat column headers on tables spanning multiple pages.
- Source note below table if data comes from external sources.
Formatting figures and charts
- Number by chapter: Figure 2.1 is the first figure in Chapter 2.
- Caption below the figure.
- Minimum 300 dpi resolution for printed reports.
- Consistent colour scheme across all charts.
- Axis labels, units, and legends on every chart.
- Use vector formats (SVG, EPS) for diagrams when possible.
Formatting references
Most Indian universities require APA 7th edition for management and social science projects, and IEEE numbered style for engineering and computer science projects. Confirm with your department.
APA reference list rules
- Alphabetical by author surname.
- Hanging indent of 0.5 inches.
- DOI included as hyperlink where available.
- In-text: (Author, Year) for paraphrases; (Author, Year, p. X) for quotes.
IEEE reference list rules
- Numbered in order of first appearance in text.
- In-text citations in square brackets: [1], [2].
- Journal format: Author, 'Title,' Journal, vol, no, pages, year.