OT: Here's a good example of how it shows up in a filing for ARTX as an example.
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Share capital - Common stock - $0.01 par value each; Authorized: 100,000,000 shares as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003; Issued: 62,868,129 shares as of March 31, 2004 and 47,972,407 shares as of December 31, 2003; Outstanding - 62,312,796 shares as of March 31, 2004 and 47,417,074 shares as of December 31, 2003..
The company has a total of 100MM authorized, but they have only issued 62,868,129, of that 62,312,796 shares are outstanding. What is not reported is float, a smaller number than the outstanding because some of the outstanding shares are restricted and can't be traded currently.
For those who understand no explanation is needed, ...For those who don't none will.