Table accessibility

Tables can cause particular issues with accessibility. It is important to pay attention to a few details to make sure that a screen reader will read the table content in the right order, and that users with special needs can get the key messages and information from the table.

Key tips to make tables accessible are as follows:

• Present data in a table, not as tabbed text or an image (see Table structure).

• Define column headings (see Table structure).

• Make sure separate information is in separate cells, not just separate lines or paragraphs within a cell (see Table structure).

• Do not use blank cells (see Blank and merged cells).

• Avoid merged cells (see Blank and merged cells).

• If merged cells are needed for your general audience, consider splitting the larger table into several simpler tables and including them in an appendix for audiences who use screen readers (see Blank and merged cells).

• Make sure the text is large enough to be legible (see Table structure).

• Make sure there is enough colour contrast between the text and the background (see Table structure).

• Do not convey information by colour alone (see Text alternatives).

• Include summary alt text.

However, because document publishing software and screen readers are constantly evolving, there are few hard-and-fast rules governing table accessibility. The following advice is based on the principle that simplest is best – simplifying your table structures will improve accessibility for all readers.