Accessible Tables

What are accessible tables?

Accessible tables communicate data so everyone can understand it, including people using screen readers and other assistive technologies. They use proper structure to show clear relationships between information. This allows assistive technology to keep track of where cell data is located by counting table cells.

When to use tables

Use tables for:

  • Comparing data across categories
  • Displaying structured information like schedules or contact lists
  • Organizing simple datasets
  • Showing numerical relationships and trends

Don't use tables for:

  • Page layout or positioning content
  • Simple lists (use bullet points instead)
  • Text alignment (use paragraph formatting)

Tables with charts and graphs

When you include charts, consider providing an accompanying table. This helps assistive technology users access data in organized formats.

How to create accessible tables

Follow these steps to create accessible tables in any application:

  1. Plan your structure: Choose the simplest layout that presents your data clearly.
  2. Use built-in table tools: Insert tables using your application's Insert → Table feature.
  3. Add a table name: Blanks spaces are not accepted in the Table Name field. Use hyphens or underscores to separate words.
  4. Add a clear caption: The caption is a brief description of what the table is about.
  5. Designate header rows: Select the Row Header checkbox in the Table Design menu to ensure your table is understood to be a data table.
  6. Use descriptive headers: Write clear labels like "Total Sales ($)" instead of just "Total".
  7. Keep formatting simple: Do not use merged cells or complex styling that can confuse assistive technologies.

Key reminders:

  • Always designate header rows using Table Design menus
  • Use captions instead of alt text for tables
  • Keep data types consistent within each column

Related WCAG resources

These Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide additional technical details for accessible tables:

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