Special Note About Tables

Tables are considered complex when they have two or more rows of headers that must be referenced in order to determine the relevance of the data in corresponding cells. Complex tables cannot be made accessible in source documents. In order to make complex tables accessible, they must be converted to a PDF. Once there, increased functionality built into Adobe Acrobat Pro DC allows you to manually direct assistive technology through multiple rows and columns of header cells to read table content as designed.

From within Adobe Acrobat Pro DC:

To determine if Table Header Cells are labeled correctly:

R> inside each Header Cell

> Table Cell Properties

Check to see if the Header Cell radio button is selected. If not:

> Header Cell radio button

> OK

When working with complex tables, always start by tagging Header Cells. A good rule of thumb is to start in the top left most cell and work across to assign column headers and then down to assign row headers.

From within Adobe Acrobat Pro DC:

Row/Column span is used when cells are merged to indicate how many cells are associated with the merge.

To set Row/Column span:

R> inside the merged cells

>Table Cell Properties

If cells are merged in a row, modify the number in the dialogue box next to Row Span. If cells are merged in a column, modify the number in the dialogue box next to Column Span. Single column and row cells should have the number 1 listed for Row and or Column Span.

From within Adobe Acrobat Pro DC:

Scope refers to row or column and is typically used with Header Cells. If a Header Cell is a row header select the radio button for Row. If a Header Cell is a column header, select the radio button for Column. If a Header Cell spans both rows and columns, select the radio button for Both.

To assign Scope:

R> inside a Header Cell

> Table Cell Properties

> Header Cell radio button

> Row, Column, or Both (from the Scope drop down menu)

> OK

Complex tables with multiple layers of headers should include Assigned Header Cell IDs to help provide additional guidance on table navigation to assistive technology. To begin, start in the upper left corner of the table and work through, left to right, top to bottom to assign header cells.

Once Header Cells are assigned:

R> any data cell

> Table Cell Properties

> green + button associated with the Assign Header Cell IDs dialogue box

> Yes in the auto-generate IDs for header cells dialogue box

> green + button associated with the Assign Header Cell IDs dialogue box

> the IDs in reading order, relevant for the specific data cell

> OK

NOTE: Assistive technology reads from bottom to top. The first Header Cell ID to be read should be at the bottom of the list, followed by the next Header Cell ID in reading order until all Header Cell IDs are present.