Troubleshooting LaTeX Referencing Issues for Your Third Year Project Report

[ajclarke]

Hey guys.

I recently went into a foray in learning LaTeX for my third year project report, because I want it to look professional and it's a good skill to say I have for PhD application.

I have however hit a stumbling block. Below is some sample code:

\begin{table}[!h]
	\begin{center}
	\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}

		\hline
		\bf{Name} & \bf{J1501-434} \\\hline
		RA & 15 01 \\\hline
		Dec & -43 \\\hline
		Mag & 12 \\\hline
		Spec Type. & dM0e \\\hline
	\end{tabular}
	\end{center}
		\label{j1501}
		\caption{Observational Data for J1501}
\end{table}

and

Table \ref{j1501} specifies the data required for observation.

However When I compile this is what I get as output. (Note: the reference isn't in the place i specified, its elsewhere in the document, I just moved it so that you didnt have to troll through my code)

Pretty Table of Data Looking as Expected
Table 1: Observational Data for J1501

And then later on:

Table 1.2 specifies the data required for observation.

I don't understand why its clearly made the table, numero uno, which is right since its the first table I have added, but then when i ref back to it, it thinks its table 1.2 :/

Thanks

 

[CompuChip]

Does the table happen to be in section 1.2?

If so, try putting the \label command after (or inside) the \caption...

 

[ajclarke]

You sir, are a genius =D Thank you very much. Changed it to

\caption{\label{j1501}Observational Data for J1501}

And had to compile twice for it to register but it worked fine. So I am guessing that sections automatically become labels, and since I have a section named J1501 its thinking i was referencing to that instead?

 

[CompuChip]

Well, basically what \label does is assign the name you give it ("j1501") to the last value that some internal counter was set to. This counter is set, among other things, by chapters and sections.
The table environment does basically nothing except create a floating frame. The incrementing of the table-number counter is done by the \caption command, and this also sets this special counter. So \label only works inside, or after, \caption.
I bet you that

\begin{table}[!h]
   ...
   \caption{Observational Data for J1501}
\end{table}
\label{j1501}

also does what you want (although maybe not what you expect).

 

[blue_raver22]

for sharing your experience with using LaTeX for your project report. I understand the importance of having a professional-looking report and the added benefit it can bring for your future academic endeavors.

In regards to your referencing issue, it seems that you are using the label command incorrectly. The label command should be placed after the caption command within the table environment. Furthermore, the label should be unique for each table, so using the same label for multiple tables can cause errors in referencing.

In this case, you can try changing the label for the first table to something like \label{tab:J1501} and then referencing it as Table \ref{tab:J1501} in your text. This should solve the issue of it being referenced incorrectly as Table 1.2.

It's also important to make sure that you are compiling your document multiple times, as LaTeX needs to go through multiple passes to properly update all references and labels.

I hope this helps resolve your issue and good luck with your project report!