Common numbering for figures and tables

Question

How can I make a common numbering for my figures and tables?

For instance, I want to obtain in Section 1 something like: Table 1.1, Figure 1.2, Table 1.3, Table 1.4, Figure 1.5

Answer 1

You could make the figure and table environments use the same counter simply by

\let\c@figure\c@table

But if you do that, they are still independent float types so they can float past each other resulting in the floats being numbered in arbitrary order, eg

\documentclass{article}
\makeatletter
\let\c@figure\c@table
\makeatother 
\begin{document}
\begin{table}[p]
  \centering
\caption{ttttt}
\end{table}
zzzzz
\begin{figure}[t]
  \centering
ffff
   \caption{ffff}
\end{figure}
\end{document}

If you add

\let\ftype@figure\ftype@table

Then the figure environment will use the same float sequence as tables, so be kept in sequence.

That may be enough, however the figures and tables will be listed separately showing "gaps" in the numbering as here:

\listoffigures
\listoftables

So you may prefer to use a combined list in \listoftables by using

\makeatletter
\let\c@figure\c@table
\let\ftype@figure\ftype@table
\let\ext@figure\ext@table
\renewcommand\listtablename{List of Tables and Figures}
\makeatother