You should use the visual aids most appropriate for your audience. Examine your target journal carefully and try to mimic its style. Also, pay close attention to the instructions to authors regarding the use of tables and figures. Do not duplicate data in the table and in the text. You should also refer to each table at least once in the text of your paper when most relevant.
Tables can be quite variable.
Some contain text information while others are numerical. They can be simple and small or they can be complex and span several pages. A well-designed table can help the reader see patterns and relationships in your data and is the most efficient way to present exact numerical data. Tables should not be used to present all of your data, but should be used for data central to the message of your paper. Tables used for slide presentations should be small and simple whereas tables in a publication can be larger and more complex if necessary.