Word processors typically have a facility for producing tables of data within your document. Such table grids can be used to create accessible content providing the grid is created using appropriate formatting.
Before you start, it is a good idea to think carefully about what you are trying to achieve with your table and how to make it as straightforward as possible. You should consider exactly what you need to include in the table and whether it is possible to make it easier to comprehend by splitting the data into more than one table.
Designing your table
Typically people will glance over a table layout to obtain an overview of the structure and identify where and how data is grouped. Blind and partially sighted readers are not necessarily able to quickly scan tables, especially where they are large and complex. Therefore, every provision you can make to organise your data into a logical structure, with appropriate headings and a summary describing the overall layout, will all provide additional cues towards interpreting the structure.
What are the key features?
There are a few key features to bear in mind when designing tables for accessibility. One of the most important aspects is to ensure that your table is uniform. Uniform tables contain no merged cells. Merged cells can make a table look visually attractive but unfortunately can result in keyboard users missing entire columns or rows as the cursor jumps over the merged cells.
It is worth remembering that accessibility software such as screen readers can often intelligently interpret column and row headings and read these aloud as the user moves around the table thus making it much easier to understand the structure. However, in order to achieve this it is important to use the table making features provided within the word processor itself. Tables produced in other ways such as by using text boxes or graphics elements are unlikely to be accessible.
To make your tables more accessible you can:
-
Use a uniform structure with no merged cells.
-
Make row and column headings concise and meaningful.
-
Create a text summary of the essential table contents.
-
Ensure any abbreviations used are explained in the preceding summary.
-
Make your cell data concise and meaningful.
-
Provide an index or contents list for multiple tables.
-
Divide complex sets of data up into separate, smaller tables.
-
Consider using a spreadsheet application for more complex data presentation.
-
For complex data tables it is often possible to insert a grid directly into your document from a spreadsheet application.
Further related information can be found on the Design, Styling and Layout pages.