Table shells display the layout of tables without the estimates or margins of error filled in. They contain the line number, description of the data, and table ID (please visit the Table IDs Explained page to learn more about table IDs). Table shells are available one week before the data are released, allowing users to preview new layouts in advance.

For most data years, table shells for Detailed Tables are available in two different formats (individual table shell files and one file for all Detailed Tables). Table shells for other types of products may be available through the file transfer protocol site (FTP) as shown below.

The ACS table list contains columns with the table IDs, table titles, table universes, and 1-year/5-year availability for all Detailed Tables, Supplemental Estimate Tables, Comparison Profiles, Data Profiles, and Subject Tables in one spreadsheet.