If a publisher is doing layout in InDesign, they often do formatting in this platform. Some publishers have a style or submissions guide.
If you are submitting something to another company, they usually will tell you how they want it.
If it's something you are publishing, it's up to you.
The standard base for PF 3rd PP for a look, is the two column format. Some people have spacing after each paragraph for easier reading. While it can take up a LOT more space, if it's a small project it can "fill" the void of white space.
Font: that's your choice, and for me it's the hardest. I change font depending on the project.
Amora Game standard is two column layout format with a Segoe UI font set at size 9. Single space paragraph with hyphenation turned off. No spacing after a paragraph.
For headers of a section, I use Narkisim font size 12.
On recent projects I have been experimenting with Californian FB font. Sometimes I squeeze in Trebuchet font.
Some people use MS Word, Some use InDesign (I do occasionally), but i can get the same results out of MS Publisher.
It varies depending on the font you are using and what character style you are employing (obviously, an H2 is going to be bigger than your default characters). For default character styles it's probably somewhere around 12 (again, depending on font and a few other things).
What program are you using
I use Pages on my ipad. It does everything I want it to, but there are more sophisticated programs out there.
Cosmetic stuff aside, Pathfinder rules have a certain way of being formatted that you should get on board with. For example, the names of spells are italicized and lower case. The names of skills and ability scores are capitalized. The list goes on. Some of the more obscure stuff is easy to get mixed up.
Remember to not refer to ability scores as "stats" - use defined terms whenever possible. If you write a class feature is similar to an existing one, try to borrow some of the language. In this way, you let the reader know that it works similarly, but is different in the ways you notate.
Right now I am trying to use Publisher due to not wanting to spend money on something I'm not familiar with (InDesign) yet.
To Ciaran: Thanks for the advice
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Then use excel. You can copy the section you want, and then paste it in. Format the text box to wrap around objects.Right click the excel chart and bring it to the front.
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this. But I was wondering, is there a specific format typically used for third party publications? I am wondering because I am thinking of eventually publishing something small and am wondering how that should be formatted/what I should use to do that, or even if I should do that.
If you are looking to just start working on layout with InDesign, start with Layout Portfolio. If you want to get more involved about learning layout and graphic design I would suggest, The Non-Designer's Design Book. These will get you in the right place to be successful in the 3PP publishing game. Hope this helps.