Tables are powerful tools for organizing and presenting data, but without proper structure and formatting, they can pose significant barriers to people with disabilities.
Why?
Accessible tables ensure that all users, including those using screen readers or keyboard navigation, can understand and interact with the information.
How?
In addition to the General Principles of Table Accessibility, follow these best practices for creating accessible tables on the web (HTML).
- Use semantic table markup. Use the <table>, <caption>, <tr>, <th>, and <td> tags appropriately. HTML table tag definitions.
- Identify headers. Mark header cells with the <th> tag and use the “scope” attribute (scope=”col” or scope=”row”) to clarify relationships for column or row headers.
- Provide captions. Use the <caption> tag to describe the table’s purpose.
- Summarize complex tables. For more intricate tables, include a summary attribute or a descriptive paragraph before the table.
- Reserve table use for actual data. Avoid using tables for layout purposes.
- Test with screen readers. Use tools like NVDA, JAWS, Orca, Narrator or VoiceOver to ensure your tables are accessible.
Learn more
Find Authoring Guides from Section 508.
Learn more specific details about creating accessible tables in:
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act:Â All Minnesota State employee electronic documents and course materials must adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards by April 24, 2026. These guidelines provide a comprehensive framework to ensure that content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users.
