Missing Data Table Caption Check
Description
The “Missing Data Table Caption Check” evaluates whether there is any data table withou a <caption> element to describe the purpose or content of the table.
Example outcome
I located 1 data table without the <caption> element.
Impact
- Visual Impairments: Screen readers will not announce what the table is about unless a caption or an alternative mechanism is provided. This can make the data meaningless or confusing in isolation.
- Cognitive Disabilities: Users with cognitive disabilities benefit from extra cues to understand structure and purpose. Captions serve as a simple, consistent way to provide that context.
- ADHD/Memory Disorders: A caption serves as an anchor to help ADHD / memory users remember what they’re looking at while navigating the table.
Fixes
To address data tables without a <caption> element:
- Locate the data table.
- Add a
<caption>element to it, describing concisely what the table contains. - Place the
<caption>tag immediately after the<table>opening tag.