Taming the Table: How to Make Complex Data Accessible Without Starting Over

Tables are the most common source of accessibility failures in academic documents. While they are essential for organizing data, schedules, and grading rubrics, they are also notoriously difficult to make accessible to screen reader users. However, "taming" a complex table doesn't require starting from scratch if you follow a few key principles.

The Core Issue: Logical Relationships

A screen reader doesn't just read a table from top to bottom; it tries to associate every data cell with its corresponding header. If a table isn't properly "tagged," the screen reader will simply read a string of disconnected numbers or words, leaving the student confused.

Step 1: Simplify the Structure

The most common mistake is creating "merged cells." While they look good visually, they break the logical grid that screen readers rely on.

• The Tip: Avoid merging cells whenever possible. If you need to group data, consider breaking the table into two smaller, simpler tables.
• Inkable Audit: The platform automatically identifies merged cells that will cause compliance issues and suggests alternatives.

Step 2: Tag Your Headers

Google Docs doesn't provide a native way to tag a row as a "header" for PDF export. This is a significant gap in accessibility.

• The Tip: Ensure your top row contains clearly labeled descriptors for the data below.
• The Fix: When exporting via Inkable Docs, the system automatically identifies potential header rows and ensures they are correctly tagged in the final PDF, enabling "header repeat" and logical navigation for assistive tech.

Step 3: Add Table Summaries (Alt-Text)

Just like images, tables benefit from a high-level summary that tells a student what the data represents before they dive into the details.

• The Tip: Use the "Description" field in table properties to provide a 1-2 sentence overview of the table's purpose.