When we want to collect in a simple and fast way to visualize certain information, the fastest way to do it is to create a double entry table that later databases can be converted to quickly query through queries. But on many occasions due to lack of knowledge, means, purpose or time, it is not possible to dedicate enough time to create databases with the data that we want to structure so that we can quickly consult according to our needs.
In these cases the best option is to use double-entry tables, a method that allows us to quickly obtain information through a grid perfectly organized. The data can be organized in two or more columns, according to our needs, where the categories are found, while the descriptive information is located on the vertical axis.
What is a double entry table?
A double entry table or double entry table, also called contingencies, are data tables that reference two variables. In the header of the rows we establish the categories or variable values while in the main column the other variables are added. At the confluence between the first row and the first column, we find the data corresponding to both variables.
What is a double entry table for?
A double entry table offers us statistical information on two related events to contrast the different values we obtain. They are called double entry tables or tables because it organizes the topics in two directions to where we should take our eyes to know what it is, what to do or what value it represents. Double entry tables allow us to organize information in horizontal and vertical columns all the information obtained from a reading is concentrated in one place.
The first thing that we must take into account are the axes that will be crossed in the table and later add the data that we want to obtain according to the heading of the column where it is located. The first thing we must do before making a double entry table is:
- Read carefully the text that will offer us the data to make the table.
- Determine the categories that will be crossed in each of the axes.
- Finally we have to enter the data that intersects between the axes with the data that we extract from the reading.
Examples of use
Below we show you several examples where We show you the possible uses of this type of double entry table. These examples show us how we can use the information we read and from which we want to extract data to quickly consult it at a glance, without having to read it again without any doubt.
Example 1
A clear example to correctly understand what a double entry table is we can find in the grades they gave us at school for our parents. In the first row we find the evaluations, that is, Very Good, Good, Enough, Needs Improvement. While in the first column we would find the corresponding subjects such as Language, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences ...
| Student's name | Very well | All right | Enough | Needs improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language | X | ||||
| Maths | X | ||||
| social Sciences | X | ||||
| natural Sciences | X |
Once the double entry box has been made with these specifications, we must go until the confluence of both to complete it with an X, to reflect that the subject has obtained one score or another.
Example 2
The double entry tables too are used to create games for elementary school children guiding them to solve problems that will allow them to complete the different boxes of the table. This type of tables in primary school encourages numerical literacy and improves the child's relationship with mathematics. The following table can be used for the little ones to collect the number of policemen, firefighters and soldiers in a drawing and to differentiate them by sex.
| Women | Men | |
|---|---|---|
| Police | 5 | 6 |
| Fire Department | 3 | 4 |
| Military | 6 | 2 |
Example 3
Another practical example of the use of a double-entry table can be seen at the time of Make an inventary. When making an inventory in a clothing store, we must establish on the one hand the brands of the pants that we have for sale in our establishment and on the other hand we must establish the existing sizes of each brand. At the confluence of both data we will write the units we currently have of each brand and size.
| Size \ Brand | Levi's | Wrangler | Tommy | Ralph Lauren |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| 40 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 42 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 44 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| 46 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 48 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 4 |
| 50 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 2 |
| 52 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
Applications to create double entry tables
Text processor
You do not need any special application to be able to create tables or a double entry table. Most word processors allows us to create tables where we must specify the number of tables and columns that we want to use for our double entry box. But in addition, these applications also allow us to format the table so that it aesthetically offers us the information in a much more attractive way to view, so that we can quickly access the data with just a glance.
The main word processors that allow us to make double-entry tables are: Microsoft Word (compatible with all platforms), Apple Pages (compatible with OS X and iOS only) and OpenOffice the free office automation software which also includes other applications to create spreadsheets, presentations, databases and graphics.
Spreadsheets
Applications for creating spreadsheets, are ideal for creating double entry charts or tables, since its interface does not offer us a blank page where we must start writing as we do in word processors, but as soon as we open the application, the boxes that we must fill in to make our double-entry table are shown.
As with word processors, the main applications for creating spreadsheets are found within the different Microsoft and Apple office suites. Inside the Microsoft suite we find Microsoft Excel and within the Apple suite, we can make use of Numbers. We can also resort to the OpenOffice suite As I have mentioned above, it has all the necessary applications to create any type of document.
If you want an online solution to generate double entry tables, you can always turn to Google Docs, which is completely free for users with a gmail account.
