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If a merged cell contains information, the information can be cut and pasted into a description cell above. On close examination, the information in the parent row often repeats the table title and so is redundant.
In this example the merged top row which simply says 2020/21 is either already implicit in the table title, or could be cut and pasted out into a row directly above the table explaining that these are results for 2020 to 2021.
So that it now has only two heading rows - still undesirable, as are the merged cells sitting above the individual columns.
If a merged header cell sits above sub-headers, the 'parent' header title can be incorporated into each of the sub-headers and the overarching row deleted. So in this example the phrases 'Response summary' and 'vaccine uptake' can be pasted into the 'child' header rows below, thus:
With three header rows the table was impossible to mark up as a table. Now, with only one header row, all that remains is to mark it up and make a few cosmetic and syle changes:
- remove colour
- left justify title (making it heading 1) and the sub-title
- write a description sentence
- remove bold except for header row
(See examples section at the end of this page).
Divide long tables with multiple sub-sections into lots of smaller tables
Before
A long table with sub headings on the left using merged cells, doubly inaccessible.
After
One fewer columns. Clearer layout. Easier for sighted people to get to the category they want, and much easier for a screen reader to navigate.
If a table has multiple sub-headings (often indicated by inaccessible merged cells) a common solution is to convert it into a number of smaller tables and making the sub-headings into titles for each table.
See examples section at the end of this page.
Notes vital to understanding a table should go above it
Many tables require explanatory notes. The rule is, if information is vital for understanding a table, for example spelling out abbreviations or explaining the presence of empty cells or of notes in some cells, then this should be explained above the table.
See example 3 at the bottom of this page.
The source of the data, if it is different for each worksheet, should go in a row above the table.1. The worksheet doesn't have a title. There's an empty row. The table has two heading rows so is impossible to mark up as table. Important information is left to a footnote below the table. Colour is useful for sighted readers but is not of much value to the colour vision deficient or partially sighted.
2. The worksheet now has a title in A1 in heading 1. Then a description of what is on this worksheet. Then the title of the table. And the important information is now pasted above the table
3. To get rid of the merged cells at the top and reduce the column headers to one row, we can add the years to the 'child' column header rows. This gives just one header row and so allows us to mark this up as a table.
4. Having come this far, why make the reading experience more complicated with abbreviations at all? Why not spell out S, I and R in each column heading? This is a bombproof solution.
And also, finally, remove the colour.
Possibly the percentage symbol could be removed and explained in a description sentence above the table to further reduce clutter. Maybe the sets of year columns could be divided by a thicker cell border for sighted readers.
Footnotes
Currently, many tables include footnotes using symbols and superscript and, most often of all, asterisks. This should all be avoided. Some screen readers do not read superscript or asterisks. The partially sighted will struggle ot make out tiny numbers or letters in superscript.
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- Making analytical publications accessible (GSS)
- Accessible spreadsheets checklist (GSS)
- Video: Making spreadsheets accessible (GSS)
Examples
Example 1. Reducing 3 header rows to one
In this example the merged top row which simply says 2020/21 is either already implicit in the table title, or could be cut and pasted out into a row directly above the table explaining that these are results for 2020 to 2021.
So that it now has only two heading rows - still undesirable, as are the merged cells sitting above the individual columns.
If a merged header cell sits above sub-headers, the 'parent' header title can be incorporated into each of the sub-headers and the overarching row deleted. So in this example the phrases 'Response summary' and 'vaccine uptake' can be pasted into the 'child' header rows below, thus:
With three header rows the table was impossible to mark up as a table. Now, with only one header row, all that remains is to mark it up and make a few cosmetic and syle changes:
- remove colour
- left justify title (making it heading 1) and the sub-title
- write a description sentence
- remove bold except for header row
Example 2. Divide long tables with multiple sub-sections into lots of smaller tables
Before
A long table with sub headings on the left using merged cells, which is doubly inaccessible. The solution is to divide the one ling table into multiple short tables and use the 'Areas of interest' as the titles for each of the new short tables.
After
The 'Areas of interest' have now become the titles of the tables, which allows us to use one fewer column.
It gives a clearer layout.
It is easier for sighted people to get to the category they want, and much easier for a screen reader to navigate.
Example 3. Notes vital to understanding a table should go above it
1. The worksheet doesn't have a title. There's an empty row. The table has two heading rows so is impossible to mark up as table. Important information is left to a footnote below the table. Colour is useful for sighted readers but is not of much value to the colour vision deficient or partially sighted.
2. The worksheet now has a title in A1 in heading 1. Then a description of what is on this worksheet. Then the title of the table. And the important information is now pasted above the table
3. To get rid of the merged cells at the top and reduce the column headers to one row, we can add the years to the 'child' column header rows. This gives just one header row and so allows us to mark this up as a table.
4. Having come this far, why make the reading experience more complicated with abbreviations at all? Why not spell out S, I and R in each column heading? This is a bombproof solution.
And also, finally, remove the colour.
Possibly the percentage symbol could be removed and explained in a description sentence above the table to further reduce clutter. Maybe the sets of year columns could be divided by a thicker cell border for sighted readers.