Tables can cause particular issues with accessibility. It is important to pay attention to a few details to make sure that a screen reader will read the table content in the right order, and that users with special needs can get the key messages and information from the table.

Key tips to make tables accessible are as follows:

• Present data in a table, not as tabbed text or an image (see Table design and structure).

• Define column headings (see Table design and structure).

• Make sure separate information is in separate cells, not just separate lines or paragraphs within a cell (see Table design and structure).

• Do not use blank cells (see Avoiding blank cells).

• Avoid merged cells (see Avoiding merged cells).

• If merged cells are needed for your general audience, consider splitting the larger table into several simpler tables and including them in an appendix for audiences who use screen readers (see Avoiding merged cells).

• Make sure the text is large enough to be legible (see Table design and structure).

• Make sure there is enough colour contrast between the text and the background (see Table design and structure).

• Do not convey information by colour alone (see Using text alternatives for meaningful colour).

• Include summary alt text (see Writing alt text for tables).

However, because document publishing software and screen readers are constantly evolving, there are few hard-and-fast rules governing table accessibility. The following advice is based on the principle that simplest is best – simplifying your table structures will improve accessibility for all readers.