Structure Data with Tables
Tables should only be used to present related information in a series of columns and rows. Do NOT use tables as a shortcut to create a layout; only use tables for tabular data. People using assistive technology rely on correctly structured and configured data tables to be able to perceive and understand the information in a table.
The Anatomy of a Table
Header Cells and Data Cells
An accessible table is made up of a table header and table data. Each box in the table is called a cell. Cells in the table header are referred to as header cells; all other cells are called data cells.
It is important to use the tools available in enterprise software to identify a header cell as such to ensure the best reading experience for someone using a screen reader.
Columns and Rows
A table is made up of columns and rows. Columns are vertically grouped cells; rows are horizontally grouped cells.
Most table headers go across the top of a table in a header row, but it is also possible to have a column made of table headers. You can even combine the two — but this gets complicated to ensure that everything is read correctly by screen readers.
Table Captions or Alt Text
You can add alt text when creating a table in most enterprise software. The alt text should be a brief summary of the contents of the table to help someone using a screen reader determine if they want to read the table in its entirety.
When creating a table on a website, sometimes you can add a table caption. The table caption is denoted using the <caption> element. Captions can look similar to headings, but they have the added semantic value of being tied to the table.
Example Table
| Tradition | Description | Established |
|---|---|---|
| Aggie Band | The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band is nationally famous for its precision military marching formations on the football field and is the largest military marching band in the U.S. | 1894 |
| Yell Leaders | Aggies don't cheer — they yell. And Yell Leaders are the ones who energize fans at Aggie gamedays and other events. | 1907 |
| Aggie Songs | Every song tells a story, and Texas A&M’s school songs tell what it’s like to be an Aggie and about the shared pride we have in our university. | 1918 |
| 12th Man | One Aggie's willingness to step up and help his teammates inspired one of our most well-known traditions, the 12th Man. | 1922 |
| Midnight Yell | The night before each home football game, Aggies head to Kyle Field for Midnight Yell to get hyped up for gameday and practice yells. | 1931 |
| Maroon Out | Once every football season, Aggies make sure to wear maroon T-shirts to form a sea of maroon in Kyle Field. Proceeds from the sale of shirts go toward scholarships and other needs. | 1998 |
In the example table above, we have a caption that labels the table’s content as “Aggie Gameday Traditions.” The first row of content is full of header cells, labeling the relationship between the data in the table.
Practical Tips for Making Tables
- Build the table in your document or website.Don’t include an image of a table; this makes the content inaccessible to people using screen readers.
- Include a header row.Properly format the header row as such within the software you’re using.
- Use as simple a table structure as possible.Avoid merging cells, splitting cells and nesting tables to ensure a logical reading order. If the table is complex, consider whether you could divide it into multiple smaller tables with a heading above each.
- Avoid blank cells.The uppermost left cell, which is read first by screen readers, is especially important not to leave blank. It’s often more helpful to include content, such as “N/A,” in a cell than to leave it blank.
- Add alt text or table captions when possible.Providing a short summary of the purpose of and information within a table can help people using a screen reader determine if they want to read the table in its entirety.
Related Resources
Learn more about creating accessible tables, including complex concepts like tables with multiple headers.
Get step-by-step instructions on how to create accessible tables to present data.
Learn how to use the Tables tool to create accessible data tables in InDesign.
Learn how to use Table and Cell Styles to modify the appearance of tables in InDesign.
Learning foundational accessibility concepts will help you create more accessible content regardless of tool or platform.