Quick Reference
Element Code: AC-024
Issue: Table header cells (th) are empty or lack text
Impact: Screen readers cannot announce column or row context for data cells
Fix: Add descriptive text to all th elements
Detection: axe DevTools, WAVE, table accessibility audits
What Is This Issue?
Table headers define the meaning of columns and rows. Without header text, screen readers cannot provide context when users navigate data cells, making tables unusable.
Why This Matters for Your Website
Data tables are critical for presenting structured information. Inaccessible tables exclude users from understanding your data.
How to Fix This Issue
- Add text to headers: Describe what each column contains
- Use scope attribute: scope="col" or scope="row"
- For complex tables: Use id/headers for explicit associations
Tools for Detection
- axe DevTools: Reports empty table headers
- WAVE: Shows table structure issues
TL;DR (The Simple Version)
Your table headers are empty. Add text to each th cell that describes what the column or row contains.
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