CP 4.3 – Specify table headers and titles

Why is this important?

Data tables provide options to specify row and column headers. Screen readers can use this information to give context to the table cell that they are announcing.

Techniques

Specify column headers

This allows assistive technology to provide context to each data cell. It also distinguishes header cells visually.

Use predefined styles in your template

Use the styles which have been specifically designed with accessibility in mind, rather than choosing your own font and colour combinations.

Repeat column header rows for long table that span multiple pages

This prevents users from having to scroll up and down the document to check the text of the column header.

Include a title for your table

This provides an overview of the nature of the data in your table. Use the “Caption” functionality to do this.

Example of good practice

There is a title above the table; column and row headers have been specified and are distinctive in appearance.

Table 1 – Birthdays for class eleven

Name

Age (years)

Birthday

Emily

8

3rd September

Francois

12

28th April

Example of bad practice

There is no title above the table; column and row headers have not been specified and are not distinctive in appearance.

Name

Age (years)

Birthday

Emily

8

3rd September

Francois

12

28th April

References

WCAG 2.1

    • 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (A)

EN 301 549 v 2.1.2

    • 9.1.3.1 Info and Relationships

Further reading