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?
General Principles of Table Accessibility
- Use tables for data, not layout: Avoid using tables solely for visual arrangement. Tables should convey relationships between data points.
- Keep tables simple: Use simple table structures whenever possible, as complex tables with merged or nested cells can be difficult for assistive technologies to interpret. A simple table here means that there is a maximum of one header row and one header column where a header column specifies the type of information in the column.
- There are no merged cells in a simple table.
- Include clear headers: Identify row and column headers to provide context for the data.
- Provide alternative text: Summarize the table’s content or purpose for users who cannot access the table directly.
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: 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.