Structure and reading order
Tables are hard to follow with a screen reader
A data table needs its header cells marked, so each value can be matched with its row and column.
Who it affects
People who use screen readers.
Why it matters
Without headers, a screen reader reads a stream of numbers with no labels. The reader cannot tell which figure belongs to which row or column.
How to fix it
- Use a real table, not text lined up with spaces or tabs.
- In Word: click in the table, open Table Design and tick Header Row. Under Layout, choose Repeat Header Rows.
- Avoid merged or split cells, and blank rows or columns used for spacing.
- Only use tables for data, not for laying out a page.
What RemeDocs does
RemeDocs rebuilds tables and marks header cells automatically. You can correct the headers on the job page.