Many of the detailed assumptions or sets of parameters and values that are used in calculations in AXIS at the Cell level and at higher levels are stored in Tables. Tables are objects containing assumption data, which are named and stored in the Dataset along with the other objects. A Table may be used or referenced by multiple Cells (or other objects) at once.
Usually one or two Table modifiers are found on a cell assumption screen associated with a Table reference, according to the Table purpose and structure. The Modifiers allow you to enter a numeric value used as a flat addition (FLAT) or a multiple adjustment factor (MULT) of the values otherwise found in the Table. Generally, the final values resulting from the three Table fields in total for a given entry age are determined as: (MULT) X (Table values) + (FLAT).
Most Tables in AXIS contain matrices of numbers in various shapes and sizes. Regular Tables in AXIS usually allow up to ten columns, each containing up to 100 values to be stored. "Large" Tables are much bigger, containing 100 columns of up to 100 values each. For example, many industry standard mortality tables are provided in AXIS as vendor-supplied Common Tables, that are stored in a large Table format. There are also more complex tables with option choices as well as data, links to other tables in AXIS, Tables within Tables, and even Tables with user written programs embedded.
When creating a Table, you must provide a unique Table name within the dataset for all Tables of the same type, purpose and format. AXIS always groups and displays Table names by their purpose and type, thus helping to insure that a Table is not used for a purpose other than that for which it was created.
As Tables are so essential to the definition of the assumptions and parameters required to define a cell (as well as other objects), you may select Tables and view their contents directly from within the Cells and the other objects that refer to them. In fact, you may also create and change the contents of Dataset Tables (those that are not Vendor supplied and thus locked) while editing other objects.
You may view lists of the Tables available in the Dataset by selecting View / Table from the View Menu and then choosing the type of table you wish view. The Tables View allows you full access to all table operations on any type of table, including the ability to delete them, transfer them to other Datasets, or export them to the Import/export Database.
In addition to creating Tables individually, or transferring them from Dataset to Dataset, you may also import Tables individually or in groups from outside AXIS.
More information about Tables, how they are organized and how to work with them is found in a Book of topics in this Users Guide, called "Working with Tables". The first topic in this Book is How Tables are Organized in AXIS.