3.7 Provide summaries for tables

Rationale

Providing a summary of the purpose and structure of the contents of a data table helps users who may be browsing with non-visual browsers, such as screen readers or text only devices. Summary is an HTML attribute which is not displayed in a standard browser. In other words, for a screen reader user, the summary would be read aloud, before the contents of the table cells. A summary tells the user what information is presented in the table and names the table headings.

Providing this contextual information simplifies navigating and understanding the tables, especially if they are complex. A typical summary would sound like this "This table charts the annual percentage growth in internet usage in Ireland under the headings, 1999, 2000, 2001."

Note that tables used for layout do not require summaries.

Directions and Techniques

Include the "Summary" attribute in the HTML used to create data tables.

Summaries are included in HTML, with the <TABLE> tag as follows; <TABLE SUMMARY="insert your summary here.">

How you could check for this:

Open the table with a screen reader

If the summary is not read aloud, it is possible that a summary was not included. Note that summaries are not really required for very simple tables, e.g. a table with only one row of data, organised in a very small number of columns may not require a summary as it would be simple enough to navigate and comprehend.