# Characteristic Table
**A tabular description of the behaviour of a [[latch]] or [[flip-flop]].**
It is derived from [[Characteristic Equation#Digital Electronics|characteristic equations]].
For example, the characteristic table of a T flip-flop is:
| $T$ | $Q_{\text{next}}$ | Action |
|:---:|:----------:|:------:|
| $0$ | $Q$ | Hold |
| $1$ | $\bar{Q}$ | Toggle |
Characteristic tables can be used to derive an [[excitation table]].