What this means
Tables convey information in a grid with meaningful rows and columns. Sighted users can easily scan a table and glean the necessary information, but more care needs to be taken to provide this information to anyone using a screen reader.
Why this matters
Screen readers might face challenges in interpreting and presenting data not presented within a data table or in tables created with an unclear structure.
Correct table structure includes the following:
- A title or caption, placed outside the table and not in a merged cell at the top of the table
- Defined header rows
- Descriptive column labels
General tips
- The table must have row or column headers, as needed by the table's structure. As with headings within your document, table headers are not defined by simply adding bold text or a background color, though you can do this for extra visual appeal.
- If you have an image or a screenshot of a data table, take the time to recreate it as a data table and not an image. You will find this much more straightforward than trying to add adequate alternative text to your screenshot.
- Do not use tables to force formatting or layout on your page; for example, to create columns.
- Do use tables instead of tabs or spaces to display information (e.g., a list of assignments and their point values, or your course grading scale).
- Try to avoid complex tables, as screen reader users will struggle to make sense of merged cells, split cells and blank cells. If you have these in your document, look for alternatives. For example, break a large, single table into multiple smaller tables.
- To check your table's structure, use the Tab key to see whether your cursor moves from cell to cell in a logical order.
Apply this!
Learn how to create accessible tables:
Learn more
- Tables Tutorial. W3 Web Accessibility Initiative.
- Creating Accessible Tables. WebAIM.
- Tables. Deque University.
- From Caprette, Heather. Best Practices in Accessible Online Design. Pressbooks, Cleveland State University:
- For Canvas page layouts, see our Canvas templates.
Created on September 19, 2024