Creating Accessible Tables
Why Use Table Header Rows?
Appropriately marking a table header row or column telling screen reader users how to read the table. They can navigate table cells and hear which column they are currently in. This turns random data into meaningful data (the top row of the table should be a header of the data that will fall underneath it).
| Year | Amount of rain in New York | Amount of rain in Boston | Header Cell Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 5' | 12' | Data cell example number 1 |
| 2019 | 10’ | 15’ | Data cell example number 2 |
Repeat Heading Cells
Select the header cells.
Right-click "table properties..."
Under the "Row" options, check off "repeat as header row at the top of each page." Also, uncheck the "allow the row to break across pages." Finally, select "OK".
Add Alt. Text to The Table
In the table's properties, select "Alt Text." Finally, choose "OK" to save the alt. text.
Avoid Changing Tables into Images
Keep Tables "Simple" so Screen Readers can go through the data within them. If it is only an image, the only portion it can access is the Alt-Text.
Additional Resources
- Video on how to create accessible tables in Microsoft (00:02:18)
- Steps to create accessible tables in Microsoft
- Make your Word documents accessible to people with disabilities - Microsoft Support
- Microsoft Word Video Accessibility Training - Microsoft Support
- SNHU Accessibility and Assistive Technology Resources