HTML Table Accessibility

Data tables can be powerful tools when used to organize and present information in a course. As with all other course content, care should be taken in order to make sure that the information presented is completely accessible to all users. For tables, this means making sure that the organization is clear and accessibility guidelines are followed.

The most commonly seen issue for basic data tables is the absence of row and column headers. Including proper headers ensures that the relationships between data in the table are clear and that the information can be easily parsed by assistive technology.

Explore the WebAim entry on Creating Accessible Data Tables. It is a useful resource for more background on why to make tables accessible and how to handle a broader array of cases.

Tips

• Avoid using tables to adjust the layout, or arrangement, of content. Tables should only be used, when necessary, to organize data. WebAim again has a great resource to help succinctly explain the reasoning behind this: Creating Accessible Tables - Intro
• Avoid blank cells, extra spaces, and superfluous characters

Please view the following video on how to create an accessible table in a SUNY Online Blackboard course. You can also review the Blackboard resource on how to Add Tables. If you need help with a more complex table please consult with your local campus ID and let us know if you have any questions or concerns.