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At a Glance
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Table Basics
Data tables are a great way to convey information to students, and with a few simple steps, they can be highly accessible. There are also a few considerations to keep in mind with tables.
- Do not use tables as a way of organizing information on a page. Screen readers and other text-to-speech tools assume that all tables contain data; using them for layout or design creates confusion.
- Avoid blank cells as much as possible. Screen readers will read each blank aloud, and that can be an unpleasant listening experience!
- Similarly, avoid merged cells. A few here and there, especially in header cells, are okay, but numerous merged cells make the table very difficult to navigate (and may be a sign that the data may need to be presented in a different way).
Accessible Tables in Canvas
After creating a data table in Canvas, follow these steps to ensure it’s accessible.
In the Rich Text Editor, determine which cells in the table are the header cells and what their scope is. These are typically the top row or far left column, but depending on the complexity of the table they may be elsewhere. Header cells provide information about the category of the information that falls under them: Grade, Due Date, Assignment Type, etc.
The scope refers to the cells that the header cell “controls.” For header cells in the top row, the scope is typically the single column underneath them; likewise, for header cells on the left column, their scope is typically the row that they begin. If your header cell is merged across multiple columns or rows, the scope is either a column group or row group.
Next, create a header cell and apply the correct scope attribute.
- Click on the cell you want to make into a header cell. You can also highlight a whole row or column.
- Click on the Table menu, then select Cell, then Cell Properties from the dropdown menus.
- Under Cell Type, select Header Cell.
- Under Scope, select the appropriate scope. In most tables, this will just be Column.
- Click OK.
Repeat these steps for all header cells in the table.
Accessible Tables in Microsoft Word
After creating a table in Word, click on the Table Design tab. This will open a new ribbon with a variety of options. The first set of options (on the far left of the ribbon) includes a Header Row checkbox. Make sure this is checked, and the first row will be designated as the header. It is also recommended to make some visual changes to the first row, such as using bold font and a different color background, to make sure it stands out.