Table headers in a data table must refer to data cells
What is the problem?
The th-has-data-cells rule ensures that table header cells (<th>) are associated with corresponding data cells (<td>).
Impacted Groups
Why is this important?
Screen reader users rely on table headers to understand the structure and content of tables. If table headers aren't associated with data cells, screen readers may not be able to accurately convey the information to users, making it difficult to understand the table's meaning.
How to solve this issue
To fix this, make sure that each table header cell is associated with one or more data cells. This can be achieved by using the scope attribute on <th> elements, helping to clarify the relationship between headers and data cells.
Rule Information
Rule ID
th-has-data-cells
Severity
Manual Review Required
Rule Group
WCAG 2.0 Level A & AA Rules
Guidelines
- WCAG 2.1 (A)
- WCAG 2.0 (A)
- WCAG 2.2 (A)
- Section 508
- Trusted Tester
- EN 301 549
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