Chapter 6: Tables

Main point

Tables can be a great way to display and communicate complex information. However, make sure that you’re using tables wisely and with accessibility in mind.

Try not to use tables for designing the layout of the document. Instead, make sure they are meaningful and are used to organize data. Because navigating a table with assistive technology can be tricky, keep your tables as simple as possible and avoid nesting or merging cells within the table.

Accessible tables include:

• A header row. This will help a screen reader user navigate within the table. When needed, you should also designate a first column.
• A caption: This is an opportunity for you to give readers context to the data.

WCAG Success Criteria

• 1.3.1 — Info and Relationships [Level A]: Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation can be programmatically determined or are available in text.

How-to

Word

1. Navigate to the Insert tab and select the table option.
2. Select how many rows and columns you want to insert. (You can add more later if needed.)
3. In the Table Design tab, ensure that the box for header row (and first column if needed) is checked in the Table Style Options.
   

   

4. There are two ways to set a header row:

• • Option A: In the tab for Table Layout — select the option for Repeat Header Rows.

• • Option B: Right select in the table and select the option for Table Properties.
    • Navigate to the tab for Row and select the box for “Repeat as header row at the top of each page.”

Pressbooks

Use the Table tool within the Visual Editor to create your table. (You can add columns and rows afterward as needed.)

• To input a caption:
  • Open the dropdown menu for the Table tool and select Table Properties. Check the box for Caption and a new bar will appear in the Editor window.
• To set a header row:
  • While you are in the row you want, open the dropdown menu for the Table tool and select Cell and then Cell table properties.
  • Change the cell type to ‘Header cell,’ and the scope to ‘Row,’ You can do the same for a first column, just change the scope to ‘Column.’

Resources

Create and Edit Tables — Pressbooks User Guide

Create accessible tables in Word — Microsoft Support (video)