# 3.3.10: Generate Cross Section Table

![Fig. 3.3.10.1: The “Cross Section Matcher”-component returning a standard profile for a custom profile.](/files/-MCkE_6TyU3jltVZZ8JG)

{% file src="/files/1RghPqs86pta6G6YqKxS" %}

An entry in a cross section table consists of a row which contains:

* "country": country of origin
* “family”: name of the group to which the cross section belongs (see section [3.3.1](/3-in-depth-component-reference/3.3-cross-section/3.3.1-beam-cross-sections.md))
* “name”: name of the specific cross section (see section [3.3.1](/3-in-depth-component-reference/3.3-cross-section/3.3.1-beam-cross-sections.md))
* a “shape” field which defines the basic cross section type:
  * “I”: I-section
  * “\[]”: hollow box section
  * “V”: trapezoid, filled section
  * “O”: circular tube
  * "S”: spring
  * “Sh”: shell
* geometric properties which are used for drawing the cross section
* area, moments of inertia, etc. that define the cross section's mechanical behavior. Can be independently defined from the cross section geometry

{% hint style="info" %}
A **“#”** in the first column means that the corresponding row serves as a comment.
{% endhint %}

The **“GenCSTable”**-component takes a cross section (or a list of cross sections) as input and returns the equivalent table of data as a string. The physical units used for output are always metric. When plugged into a panel the information can be streamed to a file which then constitutes a valid cross section table. Karamba3D reads the data of cross section tables only once. So in order that changes in a table take effect, restart Grasshopper.

It is possible to save the table data in different formats via the component's context menu (right-click on the component icon to make it appear). The menu item "Save cross section table to file" leads to a "save"- dialog where the drop down list "Save as type" allows to select between bin-, dat- and csv-format. The binary format (.bin) is recommended for large tables since it loads fast. However bin-files are not readable in text editors.


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