<array> Array (Simple Tabular Array)

Used to define a brief tabular arrangement of text in the narrative flow of the document. An array should not be a full table, and does not typically contain a title, caption, or table headings (column heads). Tabular material which does use a label, title, caption, or table headings should be tagged using a table wrapper (<table-wrap>) element.

Usage/Remarks

Best Practice Content of an Array

A NISO STS array (<array>), unlike the JATS model from which it was derived, may contain either an XHTML Table Body element (<tbody>) or an XHTML Table element (<table>) to express the rows and columns of the table. NISO STS Best Practice is to prefer <tbody> over <table> for compatibility with JATS articles, so it is easier to combine standards and articles in a single XML database.

Best Practice OASIS Tables

In the NISO STS Extended model, the OASIS XML Exchange (CALS) table model may be used instead of or in addition to the default NISO JATS XHTML-based table model. Best Practice for NISO STS OASIS table users is to use the <oasis:tbody> element, within their arrays instead of using a full OASIS table element (<oasis:table>). A separate Tag Library describing the OASIS table model elements, attributes, and parameter entities may be accessed at: https://jats.nlm.nih.gov/options/OASIS/tag-library/19990315/index.html
Display/Formatting Note
An <array> element is not allowed to float; it is tied to its position in the text. True tables are allowed to float in text or be anchored, as determined by the value of their @position attribute.
Attributes

Base Attributes

Models and Context
May be contained in
Description
Content Model
<!ELEMENT  array        %array-model;                                >
Expanded Content Model

((editing-instruction)*, label?, (alt-text | long-desc | email | ext-link | uri)*, (alternatives | graphic | media | table | oasis:table | tbody | oasis:tbody)*, (attrib | permissions)*)

Tagged Samples
Array using <tbody> element
...
<p>Visually inspect the fracture surfaces to establish 
 the nature of the fracture, and assess the type of 
 fracture as follows:
 <array id="tab_g">
  <tbody>
   <tr>
    <td align="left" scope="row" valign="top">A</td>
    <td align="left" valign="top">is cohesive failure of 
     substrate;</td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td align="left" scope="row" valign="top">A/B</td>
    <td align="left" valign="top">is adhesive failure 
     between substrate and first coat;</td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td align="left" scope="row" valign="top">B</td>
    <td align="left" valign="top">is cohesive failure 
     of first coat;</td>
   </tr>
   ...
  </tbody>
 </array>
</p>
...
Same array tagged with <table> element. (Note: This tagging is retained for historical reasons, but using <tbody> inside <array> is best practice.)
...
<p>Visually inspect the fracture surfaces to establish 
 the nature of the fracture, and assess the type of 
 fracture as follows:
 <array id="tab_g">
  <table rules="groups">
   <col width="9.23%"/>
   <col width="90.77%"/>
   <tbody>
    <tr>
     <td align="left" scope="row" valign="top">A</td>
     <td align="left" valign="top">is cohesive failure of 
      substrate;</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
     <td align="left" scope="row" valign="top">A/B</td>
     <td align="left" valign="top">is adhesive failure 
      between substrate and first coat;</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
     <td align="left" scope="row" valign="top">B</td>
     <td align="left" valign="top">is cohesive failure 
      of first coat;</td>
    </tr>
    ...
   </tbody>
  </table>
 </array>
</p>
...
Related Resources