Tables
A table is a visual device used to present data. In order for assistive technologies to understand the data in a table and how the grouped data is associated with heading rows and columns, they require proper structural markup. When marked up properly a screen reader user can access the meaning of each data cell by understanding what row and column it appears in.
A table caption also alerts a screenreader that there is a table on the page and gives a succinct description so a screenreader user knows what it is about and they can decide if they want to read it.
What to include in your table
Tables should be used for tabular data only, DO NOT use them for layout purposes, as this can effect the reading order of the content.
- Add a row or column header.
- Add a caption.
- We will apply a zebra stripe to your table to make it more accessible for visually impaired web users.
- Including a table caption will let a screen reader user know what it is about and whether they want to access the data in it.
Table example
| Institution | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Research Student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birkbeck | REFERENCE ACCESS | SCONUL ACCESS | SCONUL ACCESS |
| Goldsmiths | NO ACCESS | REFERENCE ACCESS | SCONUL ACCESS |
| Kings | NO ACCESS | NO ACCESS |
REFERENCE ACCESS |
How to create and edit tables in LibGuides
- In the rich text editor insert a table (if you are editing an existing table, right click anywhere in the table to bring up the context menu and choose Table Properties)
- The Table Properties box will open. From the Headers dropdown - choose first row, first column or both.
- In the Caption field, add a short caption to describe the function of the table.