Ally 8. The document has tables that don't have any headers (Major)

Assess

Some documents in your course contain tables that lack proper header rows. Without headers, screen readers cannot interpret the structure or meaning of the data, making the content confusing or inaccessible for students using assistive technologies.

This issue often appears in syllabi, schedules, rubrics, or data tables where visual layout is clear to sighted users but lacks semantic structure for screen readers.

Insight

Why table headers matter:

Provide context for screen readers – Headers allow assistive technologies to announce the relationship between data cells and their corresponding labels.
Enable meaningful navigation – With headers, users can move through rows and columns while retaining context.
Support data comprehension – Headers clarify what each column or row represents, improving understanding for all users.
Ensure compliance – Properly structured tables are a key requirement under accessibility standards like WCAG and Section 508.

Note: Simply bolding or visually styling the first row does not make it a header. Headers must be programmatically defined using semantic tags or table tools in Word, PDF, or HTML.

Modify

To fix this issue using Canvas Ally:

Open the Accessibility Report from your course navigation menu.
Scroll to the list of issues and select “The document has tables that don’t have any headers.”
Click the Fuel Gauge/Score icon next to the flagged document. A new tab will open.
Follow the options from Ally’s guide to remediate the document. Below are some of the ways you can choose to remediate based on the source document origin.

Open the document in Microsoft Word or Excel and follow these steps:

In Microsoft Word:

Select the table.
Go to the Table Design tab.
Check Header Row under Table Style Options.
Use meaningful text in the first row to describe each column.
Save the document as a tagged PDF.

In Microsoft Excel:

Select the table.
Go to the Table Design tab (appears when the table is selected).
Check the box for Header Row.
Ensure the first row contains clear, descriptive labels for each column.
Save the file as an accessible Excel file (.xlsx) or export as a tagged PDF using Microsoft Word:
Copy the table into Word.
Apply table styles and header row.
Save as a tagged PDF.

A.I.M for Accessibility In Mind...

Creating accessible tables ensures that all students can interpret and navigate tabular data effectively.

What to Do:

Use the first row (and first column, if applicable) for headers.
Define headers using built-in tools in Word, Excel, or PDF editors.
Keep tables simple – avoid merged cells or complex nesting.
Use alt text or captions to describe the purpose of the table if needed.

What to Avoid:

Don’t rely on visual formatting alone (e.g., bold text) to indicate headers.
Avoid using tables for layout purposes – use them only for data.
Don’t skip header rows – even if the table seems obvious visually.

Additional Support:

Anthology Help Center- Add Headers to Document Data Tables