Tables are a simple way to organize information using rows and columns. The main parts of a table include the main heading in all capital letters, a secondary heading in initial capital letters below the main heading, column headings underlined and above the column data, and the columnar data and rows. Formatting guidelines specify centering the table horizontally and vertically, capitalizing and centering headings, double spacing between sections, justifying column alignments, and setting column widths using tab stops or centering.