Difference between revisions of "Accessible Spreadsheets"

Create tables with column and/or row headers, and ensure a proper reading order.

Why Column Headers in a Data Table are Important

• Using table headers is important to conveying tabular data accurately.

Why the Reading Order in a Table is Important

• Screen readers read tables from left to right, top to bottom, one cell at a time (& only once). If cells are split or merged, it could throw the reading order off which may make the table difficult to comprehend by users who are blind and using a screen reader to navigate.

Accessible Tables in PowerPoints & Google Slides

Check the reading order

• A screen reader reads a table from left to right, & top to bottom (never repeating a cell.)
• Merged, nested, and split cells may change the reading order of a table.
• Construct your table in a way that accommodates a good reading order

Indicate column headers for data tables.

Powerpoint (2011,2013,2016)

1. Place the cursor in the top row of your data table.
2. Click the Design tab under Table Tools (Mac - PPT 2011/2016: Tables tab)
3. . In the Table Style Options group (Mac - PPT 2011 - Table Options > Options/ Mac - PPT 2016 - Table Design tab), select the Header Row check box.
4. The cells in the top row of your table make up the column headers.

Google Slides

• You cannot create table column/row headers in Google Slides.

Microsoft Word & Google Docs

Indicate column headers for data tables.

Microsoft Word

1. Place the cursor in the top row of your data table.
2. Click on the Design tab under Table Tools (Table tab on Mac - Word 2011/Table Design tab - Word 2016)
3. In the Table Style Options group, select the Header Row check box.
4. Under Table Tools, click the Layout tab (Table Layout tab - Word 2011)
5. In the Data group (Word 2016 - Table Design > Layout tab), click the Repeat Header Row button. This will indicate the top row as the table's header.

Google Docs

• Google Docs doesn’t allow you to designate column or row headers, so keep your tables small so they are understandable without headers.