Documents
Review Data Table Structure in Word
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
Purpose and preparation
Inspect tables as relationships between headers and values rather than as visual grids. Prefer a simple structure and repair the source before PDF export. Record tables that require a specialist review because of multi-level or merged headers.
A practical example
A fee schedule has a service column, a standard fee column and a reduced fee column, with a separate total beneath it.
How to check it
- Confirm that the table is needed for data and identify each header. Remove layout-only tables or replace them with ordinary structured content where practical.
- Set and verify the header structure in Word. Review merged cells, blank spacer rows and information encoded only by shading.
- Navigate the table with a screen reader and inspect the exported PDF's table structure. Record values whose row or column context is unclear.
What can be missed
A bold first row may look like a header without providing a reliable programmatic association. Export can also change the structure, so test the distributed file.
Record your test
Use this worksheet to record what you actually checked. Notes stay on this device when you choose Save; they are not sent to us. Avoid personal or confidential information on shared devices.
These are your observations, not automated results or a conformance certificate. A complete evaluation needs appropriate scope, supported technologies, all applicable criteria and relevant page states.
Primary sources and scope
This is independent implementation guidance with original examples. The linked standard contains the full definitions, exceptions and conformance requirements. A criterion or checklist alone does not establish legal applicability or whole-site conformance.