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As a new player with High Elves I find it difficult to determine whether I should build movement trays based on 7 wide or 5 wide. Or even as Skaven how to run clan rats. As horde or not horde

What are the basic theories going into forming units in this game before I make my movement trays?

I know that HE Swordmasters generally want 7 wide but what about units like Spearmen?

Do Clanrats on the other side travel in groups of 10 wide 3 deep ranks?

For Clan Rats, deeper is generally better than wider to take advantage of both Strength in Numbers and Steadfast.

As to movement trays, I have a couple ways I do mine:

Modular cut to 5wide, 10 deep. These are almost exclusively for slave units.

The regular movement trays have some that are 2 models deep by 5 models wide. If you want the flexibility to reform to 7 wide, consider running some models in those. You can turn them sideways and suddenly they're 2 wide by 5 deep, which fits perfectly next to the 5 wide, 4 deep trays that come in the same set. (These numbers assume 20mm bases, 25mm gets sort of screwed I'm afraid :( )

The easiest thing to do is to cut your trays out of thick card (like the kind take out pizza boxes are made from) and use sprues or something to edge them. I do this with my orcs and goblins, and it allows me to cheaply and easily have a lot of different formation set ups. Doesn't look as nice as the modular on, but it does the job.

What do Archers do about ranks? How do people line them up still 5 across for the most part?

Depends on the number in the unit and what unit your talking about.

I would go with 5 wide personally and just put 2 of them together if you want to go 10 wide. Remember if they swift reform then usually 5x4 for sea guard works well.

I just have a variety of different trays around, some 7x5 for 35 Halberdiers (can be turned around for more ranks and you usually only have to place the FC in the new first rank), 10x2 for missile units, 5x6 / 6x5 for Swordsmen battle buses that rely on ranks or for missile detachments (with room left), 7x3 for Flagellants or Greatswords - although these I find are too small, so 7x4 is what I'm getting next.

Having said that, I don't remember having reformed in such a fashion to gain ranks or attacks even once. Most of the time, there's no time for a reform, as I rather charge or march and could have deployed differently.

Sometimes reforming hapens in combat, in fact its the most common for me.

Go with 5 wide on your movement trays, and try to keep the sides of the tray very low profile, That way you can just stack a few models to either side.

Of course if you intend to have a horded unit.. then go nuts on a 10 wide standard base.

I like the 7x5, that way I can get max attacks or go deeper based on what I am fighting. That strategy has seen my eternal guard through quite a few slaughters.