The significance of tables in presenting information is explored, tracing their evolution from simple grids to complex data displays. The mid-1900s is hailed as a high point for tabular design, with advanced printing technologies allowing for precise typesetting. The democratization of computing brought about a shift in table creation, leading to a dilemma for data workers. Great Tables offers a solution by combining the elegance of midcentury tables with a coding interface. The framework allows for the creation of beautiful tables in Python, structuring data, formatting values, and styling the table. Different components, such as table headers, column labels, and footers, contribute to creating visually appealing and informative tables.
https://posit-dev.github.io/great-tables/blog/design-philosophy/