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Table Markup -- Dos and Don'tsSee also: Standard 9 -- Table Headers
Why: Layout tables are a special kind of table used to control aesthetics rather than convey information. Adding information, such as a summary or caption, to a layout table only confuses users. If layout tables do not have data table markup, they are typically ignored by screen readers, which instead read the content rather than the structure of the table. How: For layout tables, do not include the "summary" attribute and do not use the <th> element.
Why: When data tables do not have row and column headers, users of screen readers can easily get "lost" inside a table because it may be impossible to associate a particular cell that a screen reader is reading with the corresponding column headings and row names. When coded properly, a screen reader will help orient the user by identifying the appropriate row or column header before reading the data within a particular cell. How: The first row of each table should include column headings. Typically, these column headings are inserted in <TH> tags, although <TD> tags can also be used, along with the scope="col" attribute. Similarly, the each cell in the first column of every data table should include uniquely identifying information about the content of each row in the table. Each of the cells in that first column are created by either <TH> or <TD>. Include the following attribute in these cells: scope="row".
Get more help with tables, visit the Access Board's Section 508 information on tables.
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