The table tool is used for inserting tables. Tables can be copy and pasted into Drupal, but because there are additional ADA features to adjust once the table has been copied, it is recommended to simply create the table in Drupal, so as not to miss these requirements.
Creating a Table
- Select the table tool in the WYSIWYG toolbar. The Table Properties dialog box will appear. In the Table Properties dialog box, set the desired number of Rows and Columns by entering the desired number for each.
- Set the headers from None to First Row. This is an ADA requirement. Selecting First Row will organize the data cells to correspond with headers and titles for screen readers and other assistive technologies. Rows should always have titles that correspond to the data in the columns below. See Editing a Table for this example.
- Enter data into the table beginning in Header Column 1. Pressing the Tab key cycles the cursor into the next cell for data to be entered. The published table size is set by default by the CMS.
- All tables are required by law to have information in the header row describing the information being presented below the header in order to be accessible by users with disabilities.
Editing a Table
Title of Table
| (TITLE OF COLUMN) HEADER COLUMN 1 | (TITLE OF COLUMN) HEADER COLUMN 2 |
|---|---|
Column 1, Row 2 | Column 2, Row 2 |
Column 1, Row 3 | Column 2, Row 3 |
Right click on a table. A dropdown menu will appear, listing:
- Paste
- Cell
- Row
- Column
- Delete Table
- Table Properties
The Paste command allows you to paste items from the clipboard.
The Cell option provides a submenu of options to edit the cell that is selected by right clicking on the specific cell. None of the options provided in the Cell Editing Submenu should be used as accessibility issues for those with disabilities by creating empty/blank fields in the table to accommodate the changes to the table, and by disassociating the content of the cell from a correlated Header.
In the Cell Properties attributes, the only thing in this dialog box that can be modified is the Cell Type. The Cell Type should only be changed if the cell is of the incorrect cell type. There should also only be one Header Row per table, and should be the entire first row of the table. If a table requires more than one Header Row, then the table needs to be split-up into multiple tables, or reconsidered as a bulleted list or descriptive paragraph.
The Row option provides a submenu of options that allow you to insert and delete rows in the table.
- The Insert Row Before option places a blank row above the selected row.
- The Insert Row After option places a blank row below the selected row.
- The Delete Rows option deletes the currently selected row.
4. The Column option provides a submenu of options that allow you to insert and delete columns in the table.
- The Insert Column Before option places a blank column to the left of the selected column.
- The Insert Column After option places a blank column to the right of the selected column.
- The Delete Columns option deletes the currently selected column.
5. The Delete Table option deletes the table that is selected with the cursor.
6. The Table Properties option, in most cases, must not be used. However, the exception to this rule is to edit the Headers.