Tables

Tables jls164

Tables are difficult to make accessible and responsive. To ensure your course meets current federal accessibility requirements and follows pedagogical best practices, the learning design team will add tables for you. If you wish to add a new table, please provide your learning designer with the table in an alternative format (such as a Word document or Excel file). Once a table is added, you can edit it.

To edit the content of an existing table cell, click the cell and edit.

To add or delete rows or adjust table properties, click anywhere on the table to open the floating toolbar.  

The floating toolbar lets you: 

table toolbar with numbers (see list below for explaination)

  1. table column icon Add or delete columns and set column headers.
    • Set the required header columns by switching the toggle to On (green). See the images below.
  2. table row icon Add or delete rows and set row headers.
    • Set the required header rows by switching the toggle to On (green). See the images below.
    • table merge cell icon Merge and split cells.
      • Due to accessibility concerns, please do not merge or split cells.
  3. table caption icon Add the required table caption.
    • Click on the caption button to toggle the caption on and off.
    • The table caption should always be ON.
    • Always include a table caption. Captions explain the purpose of the table and are a required accessibility standard.
  4. table cells icon Adjust cell properties, such as alignment.
    • For accessibility reasons, please do not adjust the borders or background colors. The course theme controls table styling to ensure readability, contrast, and mobile compatibility. If there is a compelling reason to change these, contact your learning designer to ensure they are accessible.
  5. table properties icon Adjust table properties, such as alignment.
    • For accessibility reasons, please do not adjust the border, background color, width, or styling. If there is a compelling reason to change these, please work with your learning designer to ensure they are accessible.

The following screen captures show some of the options available in the floating toolbar.

full set of table tools expanded. All described above.

Credit: Drupal, 2025

Accessibility requirements

The following items apply to all tables in Drupal. Tables that do not meet these requirements will trigger accessibility errors.

Required Practices

  • Include a table caption/title that clearly describes the table's purpose.
  • Use header rows and/or columns to define the table structure and ensure accurate screen-reader navigation.
  • Keep content simple (short text or numbers).
  • Break complex data into multiple smaller tables whenever possible.
  • Use lists if strict grid formatting is not required.
  • Use percentages, not pixels, when adjusting table width to maintain responsiveness.

Prohibited Practices

  • Do not use merged cells. Merged cells interfere with how assistive technologies interpret table structure.
  • Avoid empty table cells. 
    • When possible, insert visible text such as “N/A”, “None”, or “Not available.”
    • If a blank cell is pedagogically necessary (For example, student-completed tables), contact your Learning Designer to ensure the table is coded properly for accessibility.
  • Using tables for layout or visual positioning.
  • Using color alone to convey meaning (for example, red/green cells without labels).

Practices to Avoid

  • Adding images, videos, or links inside table cells.
  • Using long paragraphs or dense text in cells.
  • Creating wide tables that require horizontal scrolling.
  • Changing table or cell colors, borders, or styling.

Getting help

Your learning designer is your partner in building effective and engaging online courses. Whether it’s navigating Drupal or refining your content, we’re here to assist. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions.