Layout Tables vs. Data Tables
There are two basic uses for tables: data tables and layout tables. The original intended use of tables was for tabular data.
A table is a data table when:
- row headers
- column headers
- or both are present
For example, here is a simple data table:
| Name | Age | Birthday |
|---|---|---|
| Jackie | 5 | April 5 |
| Beth | 8 | January 14 |
Tables may sometimes be used for page layout. Layout tables are for visual purposes only and do not have logical headers that can be mapped to information within the table cells.
It is sometimes suggested, even by some accessibility advocates that layout tables are bad for accessibility. In reality, layout tables do not pose inherent accessibility issues. There are certainly many worse things that you could do in terms of accessibility.
People with all kinds of disabilities can easily access layout tables, as long as the tables are designed with accessibility in mind by ensuring proper sequencing.
Note: Keep in mind that when you use layout tables, you are creating an additional layer of navigation for your students who use screen readers. When possible, use built-in formatting to create columns, indentation, etc.