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Overview
Tables should be easy to navigate for all students, including those using screen readers. Using proper header rows and a clear structure helps assistive technologies read the data in the right order.
Steps to Create Accessible Tables in Word
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Insert a table using Insert > Table. Avoid copying tables as images.
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Select the top row that contains column titles.
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Go to the Table Design tab and check Header Row.
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If the table continues onto another page, select the header row and choose Repeat Header Rows on the Layout tab.
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Add a short caption or title above or below the table to explain what it shows.
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Keep the table simple and avoid merging or splitting too many cells.
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Run Word’s Accessibility Checker to identify any remaining issues.
Tip
Adding a brief summary before the table can also help students quickly understand what the data represents.