A table is a structured way to organize data into rows and columns, forming a grid-like structure. They are often in databases, spreadsheets, and word processing software.
Why do we need accessible tables?
Tables created without the appropriate structural markup make it difficult for screen readers to relay the data correctly to a user with disabilities. Relying on visual cues alone is not sufficient to create an accessible table.
| Novel Name | Author | Published Date | Main Character |
| The Great Gatsby | F. Scott Fitzgerald | 1925 | Jay Gatsby |
| Pride and Prejudice | Jane Austen | 1813 | Elizabeth Bennett |
| 1984 | George Orwell | 1949 | Winston Smith |
| To Kill a Mockingbird | Harper Lee | 1960 | Scout Finch |
This is how a screen reader would read the table above: “Novel name, Author, Published, Main Character, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1925, Jay Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen, 1813, Elizabeth Bennett, 1984, George Orwell, 1949, Winston Smith, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, 1960, Scout Finch”
If you had to navigate the table using only that information, it would be difficult, wouldn’t it? That’s where some handy formatting comes in.
Best Practices for Creating Tables
DOs
- Use tables for organizing and presenting data only
- Designate a header row
- Add a table caption
- Add a table summary for complicated tables
DO NOTs
- Do not use tables to put content in columns. Use columns.
- Do not merge or split cells
- Do not leave data cells empty, especially in the top left corner
- Do not use tables to organize picture placement on a page
Better Example of Table Accessibility
Publication History of Major Literary Works
| Novel Name | Author | Published Year | Main Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Great Gatsby | F. Scott Fitzgerald | 1925 | Jay Gatsby |
| Pride and Prejudice | Jane Austen | 1813 | Elizabeth Bennett |
| 1984 | George Orwell | 1949 | Winston Smith |
| To Kill a Mockingbird | Harper Lee | 1960 | Scout Finch |
This table example uses a header row and a table caption to identify key data points and their purpose.
Creating Accessible Tables
Since every program has different ways to do things, we’ve found some links with program-specific instructions to make tables more accessible.