Difference Between Rows and Columns (with Comparison Chart)

When data is collected, in bulk and assembled by the researcher, then the next step to the data preparation process is to arrange it in a concise and logical manner, called tabulation. It is a set of facts and figures which are presented in an organised way in rows and columns. While rows are meant to run horizontally, columns are drawn vertically.

People often misconstrue rows for columns, as they are used in the matrix, spreadsheets and classroom settings too, for the purpose of bifurcating categories, groups, types and so on. However, there exists a fine line of difference between rows and columns, which has been explained in the given article in detail.

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Rows	Columns
Meaning	An order in which people, objects or figures are placed alongside or in a straight line is called a row.	Column is a vertical division of facts, figures or any other details on the basis of category.
Arrangement	Left to right	Top to bottom
Total shown in	Extreme right corner	Bottom
Header	Stub	Caption
Spreadsheet	Row heading is indicated by numbers.	Column heading is indicated by letters.
Database Management System (DBMS)	Record	Field

Definition of Row

The term ‘row’, represent an arrangement, wherein people, objects, numbers or any other things lie next to each other, facing the same way, i.e. in a horizontal line. It goes from left to right, like the row of a school classroom, or seats of a movie theatre.

Definition of Column

A column is an arrangement of facts, figures, words, etc. , are placed one after another in a sequence. In a table, columns are separated from each other by lines which enhance its readability and attractiveness. It helps in making the comparison between two columns by placing them side by side.

Key Differences Between Rows and Columns

The points given below are noteworthy, so far as the difference between rows and columns is concerned:

The row is an order in which people, objects or figures are placed alongside or in a straight line. A vertical division of facts, figures or any other details based on category, is called column.
Rows go across, i.e. from left to right. On the contrary, Columns are arranged from up to down.
A table is divided into four parts, caption, box-head, stub and body. The top-most part of the table which represents columns is called caption. As against this stub, is the extreme, left part of the table which describes rows.
In a spreadsheet such as Lotus or MS Excel, the row heading is indicated by numbers while the column headings are denoted by letters.
Total of row is placed in the extreme right corner of the respective row, whereas the total of column is shown at the bottom
In database management systems like MS Access or FoxPro rows are known as the record, which contains fields. On the other hand, columns are known as the field, which is a collection of characters.
A matrix is an array of numbers, letters or symbols, wherein horizontal arrays are the row, whereas the vertical arrays are columns.

Conclusion

Rows and Columns both are the fundamental part of any table whether, it is a spreadsheet or matrix on the basis of, to store data. These are a vital geometric arrangement which divides any data set on the basis of attributes.

In database management system, the row (record or tuple), compose of various data fields. On the other hand, column consists of single data attribute or an accumulator of a single attribute in the dataset. In Excel, the intersection of rows and columns is called a cell.