How to Create Accessible Tables

Clear structure, ready for screen readers.

Tables must be structured correctly to meet accessibility standards and avoid barriers for screen reader users. The way a table is built directly affects how assistive technology reads and interprets the content.

Table Essentials

• Do not use tables for layout and alignment instead of data
• Do not merge cells to change how the table looks
• Do not place a table inside another table
• Remember to mark header cells as Header cells
• Do not leave cells empty 
• Do not create overly complex tables when a simpler format would work

Accessible Table Requirements

Use Tables for Data Only

Tables should only be used for data that relies on rows and columns to make sense. Before creating one, confirm a table is the clearest and most accessible way to present the content across devices.

Always Use the tablespecial Style

Apply the tablespecial style to every table. This enhances visual presentation, improves usability and enables horizontal scrolling on smaller devices.

Keep It Simple

Keep table structures simple and predictable. Avoid merged cells, placing a table inside another table or adding extra row or column groups unless they are necessary. When the structure becomes too complex, screen readers can have difficulty correctly identifying how headers relate to the data in each cell.

Headers

All tables must include properly defined header cells. Header cells identify the data in a row or column. Once set, header cells appear in a darker style with more prominent font and are announced by screen readers before the associated data cells. Every data cell in the table must be associated with a header cell with the Scope setting defining which cells the header applies to.

Caption

All tables must include a descriptive caption. Open the Table properties dialog box and select the Caption checkbox. This enables the caption field at the top of the table. Provide a clear, descriptive summary of the table. Include explanations for any content or formatting that may present challenges for screen reader users.

The caption is not displayed visually on the published page. It is presented only to screen readers.

Examples

• A two-column table presenting a breakdown of tuition and fees
• A three-column table with header cells in the first row

If a caption is missing, the automatic Content Checker will flag the issue and prompt you to add one before submission.

Collapsible Lists 

While collapsible lists are created using a table in the WYSIWYG, the published table is coded to meet accessibility requirements. Although captions for data tables are presented only to screen readers, collapsible lists automatically suppress the caption. A caption is still required; provide a brief description such as “Layout table” or “Single-column table.”