Why Tables Matter
Tables can be a useful way to organize tabular data, such as assignment breakdowns, grading scales, or categorized terms. When used correctly, they provide clarity and help students compare information quickly.
However, tables are also one of the most common sources of accessibility issues in online courses. Students using screen readers experience tables in a left-to-right, top-to-bottom sequence, which may not match the way a sighted user interprets the table. If tables are missing headers, captions, or balanced entries, they can become confusing and frustrating rather than helpful.
How to Use Tables
When enabled, the Panorama tool scans course content for accessibility issues and provides an accessibility score for each document. If a table is missing proper headers or a caption, Panorama can prompt you to fix it directly.
Remediating a table with Panorama:
- Find your table: navigate to the page, assignment, or discussion containing the table.
- Select Panorama: select the Panorama tool, which looks like a “gas gauge” at the bottom right of the rich content editor.
- View the accessibility issues: the tool will flag the table as an accessibility issue if headers or a caption are missing.
- Fix the issues: follow the prompts to designate the correct header rows or columns as well as to add a caption.
Please watch this short video to learn how to properly use tables in your course.
General Tips for Creating Accessible Tables:
- Keep tables simple. Avoid complex layouts or nesting content inside tables.
- Add headers. Every table should include column and/or row headers that describe the data. Mark header rows using the Canvas Accessibility Checker or Panorama.
- Add a caption or description. A short caption tells students what the table is for (e.g., Assignments and Point Values). Captions can be added through the Canvas Accessibility Checker or Panorama.
- Balance entries. Do not leave cells blank, as this can confuse screen readers.
- Check readability. Use the Canvas Immersive Reader or a screen reader to confirm the table reads in a logical order.
- Consider alternatives. Some information, like grading scales, may be easier to present in a list instead of a table.
Need Help?
- Stop by our Virtual Support Drop-In Zoom Room, which is open Monday – Friday, 9-4.
- Book a time to meet with a team member through our Digital Learning Bookings page!
- Email us at its.digitallearning@unomaha.edu.