CofC Web Accessibility Guidelines- Rule (H)

(h) Markup shall be used to associate data cells and header cells for data tables that have two or more logical levels of row or column headers.

Translation: If you have a complex data table, use HTML labels (markup) to identify the rows or columns. The TH (Table Header) tag is an appropriate choice and will alert alternative browsersthat this cell is a table header.

Some background: For our purposes, "markup" is anything that describes text or contributes to formatting. For instance, when you alter the appearance of text, you do it by adding HTML markup. Markup can also supply additional information. Alt tags can be considered a form of markup, as well as table headers.

A complex table structure presents a challenge to a web browser that reads the table out loud. You should use the Table Header (TH) tag to provide additional information about the table contents.

Note: Rather than specifying a table header for every cell on the table, use the SCOPE attribute. This will allow the markup text in the headers to be applied to each cell in the row or column. See http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.22.htm#(g) for more details and some examples.

How to add table headers :

Dreamweaver (Windows).

• Select the cell you wish to have the TH tag.
• From the Modify menu, select Quick Tag Editor and change the tag from TD to TH.

Dreamweaver (Mac).

• Select the cell you wish to have the TH tag.
• From the Modify menu, select Quick Tag Editor and change the tag from TD to TH.

Netscape Composer.

• Select the cell you wish to have the TH tag.
• Right click on it on select Cell Properties. Select Cell Style and change Normal to Header.
• Click Apply and then OK.

Microsoft Front Page.

• Right click in the cell you wish to have the TH tag.
• Select Cell Properties.
• Click the Cell Style check box and select Header.
• Click Apply and OK.