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Data Tables

Data tables require special handling to be created accessibly. Most important, data tables need clearly defined header cells, which help screen readers identify which data belongs in which column and which row of data is currently being read. Dreamweaver makes it easy to create simple, accessible data tables.

Insert a Data Table

The steps for inserting an accessible data table are the same as those for inserting a table (see above). However, you need to add more information in the table dialog box.

Pictured above : Callout one: Data tables require both row and column headers. Callout two: Best Practice: include a caption/title. Callout three: Data tables must have a summary. Avoid lengthy details.

OSU Standard: Data tables must have row and column headers and a summary.

Summaries should be as brief as possible (because they will be read each time the screen reader encounters the table on the page) and should not repeat information that is in the caption or description that appears within the body of the page. If a detailed explanation of the data appears in the body text, the summary can be much shorter (e.g. "Clinical research results by unit, cost, and outcome."). For our example table, we need a slightly more detailed description:

A collection of professional societies and associations in fields related to Early American Literature. Includes society name (with link), description, and conference information.

Headers can be created in two ways. For simple tables, the cell that contains the header is designated by the <TH> tag in HTML. To assign a cell as a header cell in Dreamweaver, check the "Header" box in the PROPERTIES window.

The more complex method of assigning table headers uses the "headers" and "id" attributes to specifically associate a particular data cell with its header or headers. This method is required for tables where a cell has two or more logical levels of headers and is covered in our intermediate tutorial.

Practice.htm: Be sure to add your column headers "Organization", "Description", "Conference" before cutting and pasting the data into the data table.

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