Tables can be classified on the following basis :

• According to Objective : General-objective table has no specific objective. It is also called a reference table. Special objective table is prepared to fulfill a specific objective. Its size is smaller than that of an ordinary table. It is also called concise or analytical table. Mean, percentage, ratio, etc. are used in it. 
• According to Originality : Data items are presented in their original form in primary ‘ table. It is also called classification table. In a derived table, besides original data-items, items obtained from them like-sum, percentage, ratio, multiple, etc. values are also presented. 
• According to Construction : When data-items are presented on basis of only one property, it is called a simple table. 
• For example: distribution of population according to the age/gender/states, etc. To distribute population on the bases of age, gender and literacy together, the data items are presented using a triple property table. Tables can be single-property, dual property, triple property or multi-property.