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name: latex-tables description: Creates modern LaTeX tables with tabularray package for fixed-width columns, proper alignment, and clean syntax. Use when creating tables or working with column layouts. allowed-tools: Read, Edit, Bash

LaTeX Tables with tabularray

Quick Reference

When to use this skill:

• Creating tables with fixed-width columns
• Formatting complex table layouts
• Need precise column alignment
• Migrating from tabular/tabularx/longtable/booktabs
• Troubleshooting table overflow issues

Why tabularray?

Modern LaTeX3 package (replaces old solutions):

• Fixed-width columns with proper alignment
• Clean, consistent syntax
• Replaces: tabular, tabularx, longtable, booktabs
• Better performance than legacy packages
• Part of TeX Live 2025

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Installation

# Check if installed
kpsewhich tabularray.sty

# If not found, install:
sudo tlmgr install tabularray

Basic Usage

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tabularray}  % Modern table package

\begin{document}
% Simple table
\begin{tblr}{colspec={ccc}, hlines, vlines}
  Header 1 & Header 2 & Header 3 \\
  Data 1   & Data 2   & Data 3   \\
\end{tblr}
\end{document}

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Quick Reference Card

% Minimal table
\begin{tblr}{colspec={ccc}}
  A & B & C \\
\end{tblr}

% With all lines
\begin{tblr}{colspec={ccc}, hlines, vlines}
  A & B & C \\
\end{tblr}

% Fixed widths
\begin{tblr}{colspec={Q[2cm] Q[3cm] Q[2cm]}, hlines}
  A & B & C \\
\end{tblr}

% Bold header
\begin{tblr}{
  colspec={ccc},
  row{1}={font=\bfseries}
}
  Header & Header & Header \\
  Data   & Data   & Data   \\
\end{tblr}

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Best Practices

1. Use Q[width] for fixed columns instead of p{width}
2. Specify widths explicitly when text might overflow
3. Use X for flexible columns that should expand
4. Style headers with row{1} instead of manual formatting
5. Use colspec for column properties, not inline commands
6. Check package version: kpsewhich tabularray.sty (should be recent)

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Reference Documentation

For detailed information, see:

• Table Patterns - 5 common table patterns with examples
• Column Specification - Alignment options and width control
• Lines and Borders - All lines, selective lines, thick lines
• Troubleshooting - Table too wide, text not wrapping, alignment issues
• Migration - Migrating from tabular and tabularx

Official Docs: Run texdoc tabularray for complete package documentation

See Also:

• Use latex/setup skill for installing tabularray package
• Use latex/build skill for compilation workflows