Tables, Figures and ABNT Presentation Rules

JDHAB house style for international publication with Brazilian standardization.

The Journal of Digital Health and Advanced Biomaterials (JDHAB) uses an international editorial house style informed by Brazilian ABNT standards for the presentation, identification, source attribution, and integrity of tables and figures. This policy is suitable for Brazilian and international authors. It does not treat ABNT as a universal international citation system.

For biomedical references and in-text citations, JDHAB follows its Vancouver/NLM style. Where requirements differ, the current JDHAB template and the instructions for the selected article type prevail.

1. Reference framework

ABNT NBR 14724: presentation and visual organization of academic work, where applicable.
ABNT NBR 10520: citations and attribution of sources.
ABNT NBR 6023: preparation of references, when ABNT references are required by a Brazilian institutional context.
ABNT NBR 6022: general principles for articles in technical and scientific periodicals.
IBGE tabular presentation guidance: consulted for clear and economical organization of tables.
JDHAB house style: Vancouver/NLM references, Arabic superscript citations immediately before closing punctuation, official NLM journal abbreviations, and DOI verification whenever available.

2. General rule for every table and figure

Every table, figure, graph, photograph, map, diagram, scheme, flowchart, or other illustration must be cited in the text before it appears.
Place the visual element close to its first callout whenever the production layout permits.
Use the most precise designation: Table, Figure, Graph, Photograph, Map, Flowchart, or another accurate term. Use Figure only when a more precise designation is not appropriate.
Number each category consecutively in Arabic numerals: Table 1, Table 2; Figure 1, Figure 2.
The title, visual element, source, legend, and notes must form one coherent visual unit, with consistent width, alignment, typography, and spacing.

3. Tables

Tables must be editable, self-explanatory, and created with the Word or LaTeX table tools. Do not submit a table as a screenshot or flattened image.
Following the ABNT-informed JDHAB rule, place the identification and title above the table: Table 1 — Concise descriptive title.
Use a concise title that identifies the content, population, material, period, or comparison where necessary.
Place the source and notes immediately below the table. Define abbreviations, symbols, statistical tests, units, denominators, exclusions, and other information needed for independent interpretation.
Use restrained rules and spacing. Avoid unnecessary vertical lines, decorative borders, excessive gridlines, and duplicated information.
For a table continuing to another page, repeat the column headings and identify the continuation clearly, for example Table 1 — ... (continued).
Distinguish a numerical table from a text-based quadro or a graph. The designation must match the actual content.
When a table is adapted, reproduced, or based on a third-party source, identify the source, adaptation, permission, and licence status as applicable.

4. Figures and other illustrations

Figures must be legible at their final publication size, consecutively numbered, cited in the text, and supplied at publication quality. Raster artwork should generally be at least 300 dpi.
Following the ABNT-informed JDHAB rule, place the identification and title above the illustration: Figure 1 — Descriptive title.
For English manuscripts use Figure, Table, and Source. For Portuguese manuscripts use Figura, Tabela, and Fonte.
For standalone figures, JDHAB production normally centers the figure title/legend and the source line beneath it. The figure itself must remain optically balanced and must not be enlarged or cropped in a way that removes relevant information.
Place the source immediately below the illustration. Then add a legend or note when necessary. Example: Source: Author's archive (consent obtained; de-identified; digitally modified).
For an author-created element, use a transparent statement such as Source: Prepared by the authors (2026). For study data, use Source: Study data. For an adapted element, use Adapted from: followed by the source and reference.
Captions and legends must allow independent interpretation. Explain panels (A, B), symbols, abbreviations, scales, arrows, annotations, measurement units, and relevant image processing without merely repeating the title.
Do not place a duplicate title or caption inside the image. Keep labels readable and consistent across all figures in the manuscript.

Example of a complete figure unit

Figure 1 — Scanning electron microscopy workflow

Illustrative layout: place the original panels here at final publication size.

A

Instrument or preparation view.

B

Specimen or material view.

C–F

Representative micrographs with magnification and scale bars.

Source: Original photographs and micrographs by Lisandro Gonçalves, documented in: Gonçalves L. Influência de diferentes substâncias auxiliares do preparo biomecânico na força de união do sistema obturador Epiphany SE preparado com solvente resinoso à dentina intra-radicular. Master’s dissertation. Ribeirão Preto: Universidade de Ribeirão Preto; 2008. Figures 9 and 13.

Note: Identify panels, magnification, scale bars, preparation method, institution, year, and any technical contributor when documented.

5. Image integrity, consent, and permissions

Do not selectively enhance, delete, duplicate, obscure, move, or alter image content in a way that could misrepresent the original data.
Scientifically relevant processing must be applied consistently and disclosed in the caption, legend, Methods, or another appropriate section.
Remove unnecessary identifiers from clinical images. Obtain written consent for publication whenever a person may be recognized directly or indirectly.
Respect copyright, licences, third-party permissions, patient privacy, and applicable data-protection requirements. A source citation does not by itself replace permission when permission is required.

6. Production layout and final PDF check

Wide tables and figures may occupy the full text width when necessary for legibility. The body text may resume in columns below the element or on the following page.
Do not compress a wide visual element into narrow columns merely to preserve a two-column page.
Avoid large blank areas, stranded headings, captions separated from their element, titles touching the preceding text, or notes that are detached from the table or figure.
Review the rendered PDF, not only the source file. Confirm that titles, labels, sources, notes, references, page breaks, contrast, and resolution remain readable.

7. Final author checklist

The designation matches the real type of visual element.
The number is sequential and the title appears above the element.
The element is cited in the text before or at its first appearance.
The source is immediately below and identifies origin or adaptation.
Legend and notes explain what cannot be inferred directly from the element.
Abbreviations, units, scales, panels, and statistical information are defined.
Resolution, contrast, cropping, consent, permissions, and image integrity have been checked.
References and DOIs cited in tables or legends are consistent with the main reference list and JDHAB citation rules.

8. Editorial foundation

This policy was also informed by the following Brazilian editorial reference, supplied by the journal:

Curty MG, Pestana MC, Gonçalves L. Construção do conhecimento científico: elaboração de projetos e redação de artigos. Scientexa Editora; 2026. doi:10.5281/zenodo.22907821.

Editorial note. This is a JDHAB house rule designed to combine international readability with Brazilian standardization. It will be reviewed when relevant ABNT editions, JDHAB templates, or article-type instructions change. See also the JDHAB Manuscript Preparation Guide and Citation and Reference Style.

Version: 28 October 2026.