Add Headers to Tables

Quick Links: | Why This Matters | What You Can Do | Instructions |

Tables are effective for showing relationships between two dimensions, such as dates and assignment types, but when a table has no defined headers, assistive technology reads it as a jumble of cells. Students who rely on screen readers must count columns and rows in their heads, often losing their place. Marking header cells in Canvas fixes this: the screen reader announces “row header” or “column header” before each value, so students instantly know what a number or phrase means. Adding proper header cells plus scope information in Canvas’s Rich Content Editor (RCE) repairs that barrier without changing the table’s look. Clear headers benefit everyone: they provide landmarks for low-vision, cognitive, and sighted learners alike.

Why This Matters

When headers are missing, a screen reader presents each cell without context. Users who are blind or have low vision must memorize the table’s structure or perform tedious back-tracking to find the column or row label. Cognitive-disability and ADHD populations also struggle because the visual cues that sighted peers rely on (bold text, shading) are not announced. In large tables this cognitive load grows, leading to frustration or outright abandonment of the content.

What You Can Do

Canvas lets you convert any row or column to true <th> header cells, complete with a scope attribute that tells assistive tech whether a header applies down a column or across a row. Defining headers:

  • Gives blind and low-vision students the same orientation sighted students get at a glance.

  • Helps everyone interpret data faster, especially on phones where only part of the table is visible.

  • Enables Canvas’s Accessibility Checker to confirm that the table meets WCAG requirements.

Instructions

To ensure students using assistive technology can identify your table headings, do the following:

  1. From the Rich Content Editor, insert or select your table.

  2. Highlight the first row. Select Table > Cell > Cell Properties. In the dialog:

    • Set Cell Type to Header cell.

    • Set Scope to Column.

    • Select Save.

  3. Highlight the first column. Select Table > Cell > Cell Properties. Choose Header cell again and set Scope to Row. Select Save.

  4. Prefer a simpler menu path? Highlight the header row, then choose Table > Row > Row Properties. Change Row Type to Header and select Save.

  5. Review your table with Canvas’s Accessibility Checker. If it flags additional headers, repeat the steps above until no errors remain, then select Save on the page.

Avoid turning tables into layout tools. If you find yourself merging cells to position text or images, use Canvas’s Rich Content Editor layout options instead. Properly marked header cells keep your data clear, accessible, and future-proof.

We’re Here to Support You—Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help

Still need help? Drop in to Academic Technology's live faculty support room via Zoom, schedule a one-on-one consultation with an instructional designer, or reach out to the Technology & Learning Program to ensure your courses are fully accessible.

Your commitment to creating accessible content in Canvas makes a world of difference to all students, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunity to do and dare.

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