Other Checker Results

The PowerPoint Check Accessibility tool notes Missing table header and Default section name errors, a warning about Use of merged or split cells, and a tip on Duplicate section names.

Who does this affect?

Table errors

While sighted users can scan a table to understand the relationship between rows and cells, some users of assistive technology require those relationships to be indicated audibly. Consider the following demonstration of a screen reader reading a table without proper code followed by the same table with proper code.

Take note that in the table without proper code the screen reader could move from left to right and row to row to announce the cell contents. However, when deeper in the table it becomes unclear what the cell data refers to. In the properly coded table screen reader software announced the header labels such as brand, type, and colour and announced what column or row the cell is in. This helps users that cannot see the table to understand the information and relationships between data.

Ensure tables have a header row or first column. The use of merged or split cells should be avoided because it may not be clear which cell follows the merged or split cell. This could cause someone using assistive technology to miss out on or misinterpret table data.

Sections

Sections group slides together. As with descriptive and unique slide titles, properly named sections act as navigational waypoints for users of assistive technology. The use of “Default Section” as a section name will appears as a Default section name error in the Check Accessibility tool. In addition, using the same name for sections, such as repeating “Section 2” for multiple section names will appears as a Duplicate section name tip.

How to fix it

The Accessibility Assistant pane will display Missing table header and Use of merged or split cells.

To add a table header:

1. Use the Missing table header button in the Accessibility Assistant to add a header row or designate the first row as header row.
   
2. Or select the table.
3. Move to the Table Design tab.
4. Ensure Header Row and/or First Column (if column A also contains header labels) is checked.
   

This applies not only a distinct visual style to the top row of the table, but also designates the top row as a header row to indicate meaning to assistive technology.

To merge split or split merged cells:

If you select the Use of merged or split cells button, you will be directed to information box but you will have to manually selected the problem cells and adjust them.

1. Select the cell(s).
2. Move to the Layout tab.
3. Choose Merge Cells or Split Cells as appropriate.
   

Note that Use of merged or split cells appears as a warning. This is because there are appropriate uses of merged or split cells, such as in the header or total row. Verify the reading order of your table by placing the text cursor in cell A1 (top left) and press Tab to see the reading order. If a merged or split cell could make it unclear, revise your table.

To change section names:

In the Accessibility Assistant select Default section name or Duplicate section name. This shortcut allows you to Rename Section by selecting the button.

Or

1. Examine the section names in the slide thumbnail panel.
   
2. Right-click on a section name and choose Rename Section.
   
   Or if you do not need sections, use Remove Section or Remove All Sections to remove the section groupings but not delete any slides.
3. Type a new, unique name in the Rename Section window.
    
4. Select Rename or press Enter.

How to prevent it next time

When inserting a table, Header Row should be toggled on by default.

Avoid the use of merged or split cells except where appropriate.

If you are using sections, give them unique and descriptive names.