Figures or combinations of figures and letters used to form a reading column align on left and are followed by leaders. Do. is not used under such items.
The en dash is not to be used for to in a reading column; if both occur, change to to throughout.
Cut-in items following a colon are indented 2 ems.
A single entry under a colon line should be run in; retain the colon.
Numerical terms, including numbered streets, avenues, etc., are expressed in figures, even at the beginning of an item.
A column consisting entirely of letters, letters and figures, symbols, or signs, or any combination of these, is called a symbol column. It should be set flush left and cleared, except when it takes the place of the stub, it should then be leadered. No closing period is used when such column is the last column. Blank lines in a last column are cleared. Do. is not used in a symbol column.
| Symbol | Typical commercial designation | Army product symbol | Filing order symbol | General description | Specification symbol |
| GM(2) | Gasoline and diesel engine oil, SAE10 and SAE10W grades. | OR10 | A | Fuel, grease, chassis, or soap base. | G.&D. |
| CG | Ball and roller bearing grease. | 4l-X-59 | N | Extreme pressure | BR |
| CW 1 | Wheel-bearing grease | OE20² | X | do | WBG³ |
| Grease not typified | Further tests being conducted. | ||||
| G090 | Universal gear lubricant | S.&T. | B | Water-pump grease | 80D |
Columns composed of both symbols and figures are treated as figure columns and are set flush right. In case of blank lines in a last column, leaders will be used as in figure columns.
| Symbol or catalog number | Typical commercial designation | Symbol or product number | Symbol or filling order symbol | General description | Symbol or specification number |
| WBD | Chassis grease, cup grease, under pressure. | 961 | A | Especially adapted to very cold climates. | 1359 |
| 14L88 | Water-pump bearing grease | SWA | 352 | Under moderate pressure | |
| 5190 | Exposed gear chain lubricant | 12L | N | High-speed use | AE10 |
| E.P. hypoid lubricant | 863 | X | For experimental use only | NXL | |
| 376 | Special grade for marine use | 468 | Free flowing in any weather | 749 |
