Formatting Tables

Owned by Karen Park
Last updated: Mar 04, 2016

Overview

While they can look clean to the eyes, tables can prove difficult for programs that read text for the visually impaired. The only way to ensure that information is properly interpreted is by altering the code of the table itself, which is understandably a lot to ask for. Therefore, it is best to use tables only to display information that must be in this format, such as a bank statement.

Table of Contents

Tables and Best Practices

  • Try alternative methods of organizing information before tables, such as bullet points. 
  • If a table is absolutely necessary, ensure that columns and row heads are labeled clearly to increase the chance that it will be properly understood.
  • Provide alternate text for any graph or chart that you include.
  • Format the table so that related rows or columns are colored the same.

Avoid using tables simply for formatting!