Creating an Accessible Table in Canvas

You can proactively author a table that is accessible from the start by making sure you add a table caption, headers, and scope.

Step 1: Add table captions 

Use the editor’s table tool to choose “Table Properties” from the table tool dropdown menu. In the Table Properties dialog, check the “Show Caption” checkbox and click Save. Once you save your changes, you will see a space at the very top of your table where you can type in your table caption.

Step 2: Adding Table Headers and Scope

To add table headers to a row, select the row of the table. Then use the editor’s table tool to choose “Cell” then “Cell Properties.” In the “Cell Properties” dialog, select “Header” from the “Cell Type” dropdown and “Row” in the “Scope” dropdown. To add table headers to a column, repeat these instructions adding “Column” in the “Scope” dropdown instead.

Using the Accessibility Checker to Fix Table Issues

Fixing Table Captions

If you are missing a table caption, the Accessibility Checker will tell you that “Tables should include a caption describing the contents of the table” (see Figure 1). The checker’s caption tool provides a form for you to type in a caption and apply it to the table where it will then appear centered above the table.  

Figure One: Accessibility Checker Caption Tool

Fixing Table Headers 

If your table is missing table headers, the Accessibility Checker will tell you that “Tables should include at least one header” (see Figure 2). The checker provides a “Set Table Header” dropdown that allows you to select “Header Row,” “Header Column,” or “Header Row and Column” based on the way data your table is structured.

Figure Two: Accessibility Checker Header Tool

Fixing Scope

If you fix the table headers with the Accessibility Checker, it automatically adds scope to your table (i.e., in the HTML code, scope=”row” for your row of headers and scope=”col” for column header cells).

For more information about enhancing the accessibility and inclusivity of your course contact CITL's Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Team at CITL-UDLTeam@illinois.edu.