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RE: Tables for layout

for

From: Jim Thatcher
Date: Mar 20, 2002 1:15PM

That is a good question, Sharon. Generally, the answer is no, a table laying
out a form is not a data table.

The issue for data tables is whether or not the row and column of the
entries is carrying information. If it is, then it is a data table. There is
a very simple example of that at
http://jimthatcher.com/webcourse8.htm#webcourse8.6, where the columns are
headed "tax payer" and "spouse" and the rows have headings "w2 gross" and
"dividends." The table entries are just edit fields to input the appropriate
dollar ammounts.

In this case the form elements are in a data table and the headings should
be appropriately coded (TH would be best). The problem with this example is
that assistive technology has a "forms reading mode" and a "table reading
mode" and and they don't mix well. When you are filling out the form you are
likely to be in the forms mode. This is also a situation where the LABEL
element doesn't work because the same text is contributing to more than one
input element. I think that the solution here is to use title attributes on
the input elements and those will be recognized by the major screen readers.

Jim
Check out information on the forthcoming "Constructing Accessible Web Sites"
at http://jimthatcher.com.