A Single Source of Truth for Table Structure

Tavlon keeps the structure of a table in one readable definition. Instead of maintaining the same table layout separately in spreadsheets, documents, forms, and exports, the table definition becomes the source that other outputs can reuse.

This helps reduce duplication. When the table structure changes, the change is made in the definition, not repeated manually in every place where the table appears.

What Single Source of Truth Means

A single source of truth means there is one primary place where the table structure is defined. The definition describes the table name, columns, optional fields, repeating sections, and related data structures.

            Locations: {{
            header: {{
            Name,
            Address,
            Array Shifts (...)
            }}
            }}
        

In this example, the Locations definition is the source for the table structure. Other views, documents, and exports can be based on this definition instead of redefining the same columns again.

Why It Matters

Structure First, Presentation Second

Tavlon separates table structure from presentation. The definition describes what the table is. A rendered table, document, or export describes how that structure is displayed.

This distinction makes the table more reusable. The same structure can support different presentations without creating multiple competing versions of the table.