Three different objects
A table has readable words and digits; a photograph may contain no extractable text while occupying half a page; a caption is its own text. Tendenze Nuove includes figures and tables by their dimensions. Establish whether the limit covers text only, text plus captions, or editorial space equivalents. Without that rule, extracted characters are useful but cannot prove compliance.
Inventory items
Number figures and tables as delivered. Record file, caption, internal text and expected/required size to avoid omissions and duplication between document and attachments. An image table and editable table may extract differently; do not choose the lower count instead of a prescribed format. Identify where captions were counted and avoid adding a separate caption file again unless required.
Check readable cells
Measure included table cells under the body’s method. Copy/import can join rows or columns or add separators. Check headings, middle and ending: merged cells, symbols and notes can lose content beyond the first row. Verify every officially included cell for important work. The character counter cannot discover an axis label trapped in an image or a missing caption; precise arithmetic on incomplete input stays partial.
Editorial equivalents
A space equivalent plans page area, not hidden characters in a photo; it may use characters, words or page fractions. Under a hypothetical 1,200-character equivalent per half-page figure, two add 2,400. Body 24,000 plus captions 800 then gives 27,200 only if captions are separate. An equivalent may already include them or treat tables differently. Clarify final dimensions and included components first.
Area versus file size
A large-megabyte image need not occupy more page area than a compressed one. Apply half-page/full-page conventions by intended placement. Charts may need space for readable labels and legend; shrinking into a smaller category must preserve their informational purpose. If size is unknown, label assumptions provisional and supply alternative scenarios rather than promising final pagination.
Two worked totals
24,000 body + 800 captions + two figures at 1,200 = 27,200 when captions are separate. If equivalents include captions, the total is 26,400. The difference of 800 identifies the caption block exactly. Keep components even when reporting one total, so replacing or merging a figure can be recalculated without rebuilding the whole estimate.
Read all relevant instructions
Consult length, figures, captions, bibliography, attachments and formats together: rules may be distributed. Epidemiologia&Prevenzione illustrates an overall count including several materials and figure contributions, not a universal journal method. Record the checked instructions’ date/version because old downloads can be outdated. Published recipient rules and direct clarifications remain the delivery reference.
Explain the result
Distinguish actual text characters from editorial equivalents and state which aggregate tests the limit. Match every cited figure to the inventory and every caption to an item; a correct sum cannot compensate for a missing figure. The text delivery count sheet should keep subtotals and assumptions near the relevant material so each changed plate or caption can be checked.
Actual text and editorial equivalents
| Hypothetical component | Quantity | Treatment in this example |
|---|---|---|
| Body | 24,000 characters | Actual text |
| Captions | 800 characters | Add separately if required |
| Two figures | 2 × 1,200 | 2,400 equivalent characters |
| Total with separate captions | 27,200 | Only under this convention |
Sources and checks
- Tendenze Nuove, norme per gli autori · Recipient-specific contributions of figures and tables to length.
- Epidemiologia&Prevenzione, norme redazionali · Recipient-specific contributions of figures and tables to length.