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From: Wee, Kim (MNIT)
Date: Jun 9, 2015 10:57AM

I have come across a couple of issues with making Excel files accessible.

First: we are having an issue with dynamically adding "no data" into a cell that is marked numerical and we can't add "0" to the cell because the end user may want to perform an average on some of the cells and adding "0" could throw off the average

Second: adding "no data" to a cell and changing the font to match the background, but then what if the end user wants to sort on that column or use the information to create mailing labels (and the program area believes adding "no data" and not making the font match the background, makes the spreadsheet too busy)

We are setting the title region and therefore, the screen reader does read the column and row headers for the data cells. And, we are removing the unused columns and rows from the spreadsheet.

Would it be acceptable that in cases where the program area specifically indicates that the end users will perform averages and/or sort the data that we allow for an Excel file with blank data cells be posted to the website.as long as the unused columns and rows are removed and the title region is set?

Any advice?

KIM WEE |  WEBMASTER AND ACCESSIBILITY COORDINATOR
MN.IT SERVICES @ EDUCATION
651-582-8548 (w) | <EMAIL REMOVED>

Information Technology for Minnesota Government | mn.gov/mnit