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Data table with role=table Screen reader compatibility

ARIA HTML
Dec 12, 2023

Expected Result: works in a screen reader

Actual Result: causes problems in 1 screen reader / browser combinations

This test checks that applying role=table overrides layout table heuristics.

Code used for this test:


		<table role='table'>
		  <tbody>
			<tr>
			  <td>This is some text</td>
			</tr>
		  </tbody>
		</table>

Reliability Trend

This graph shows reliability over time for this code in NVDA, JAWS and Voiceover. Other screen readers don't have enough historical data yet to plot trends.

100%80%60%40%20%0%2015201620172018201920202021202286%2023100%

Change History

Last updated: December 12, 2023

  • Good NVDA with Chrome Stable - OK from NVDA 2022.2 to NVDA 2023.3
  • Good NVDA with FF Stable - OK from NVDA 2022.2 to NVDA 2023.3
  • Good JAWS with Chrome Stable - OK from JAWS 2022.2207.25 to JAWS 2023.2311.34
  • Good JAWS with FF Stable - OK from JAWS 2022.2207.25 to JAWS 2023.2311.34
  • Good VoiceOver macOS OK in VoiceOver macOS 13.6
  • Better VoiceOver iOS Better - caused problems in VoiceOver iOS 15.6, but now OK in VoiceOver iOS 16.6
Screen readerBrowserModeNotesWhat the user hears
OK NVDA 2023.3Chrome 120 Reading Table with 1 rows and 1 columns. Row 1, columns 1, this is some text.
OK NVDA 2023.3FF 115 Reading Table with 1 rows and 1 columns. Row 1, columns 1, this is some text.
OK NVDA 2023.3Edge 120 Reading Table with 1 rows and 1 columns. Row 1, columns 1, this is some text.
OK NVDA 2022.2Chrome 105 Reading Table with 1 rows and 1 columns. Row 1, columns 1, this is some text.
OK NVDA 2022.2FF 102 Reading Table with 1 rows and 1 columns. Row 1, columns 1, this is some text.
OK NVDA 2022.2Edge 105 Reading Table with 1 rows and 1 columns. Row 1, columns 1, this is some text.
OK JAWS 2023.2311.34Chrome 120 Reading Table with 1 columns and 1 rows. This is some text.
OK JAWS 2023.2311.34FF 115 Reading Table with 1 columns and 1 rows. This is some text.
OK JAWS 2023.2311.34Edge 120 Reading Table with 1 columns and 1 rows. This is some text.
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25Chrome 105 Reading Table with 1 columns and 1 rows. This is some text.
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25FF 102 Reading Table with 1 columns and 1 rows. This is some text.
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25Edge 105 Reading Table with 1 columns and 1 rows. This is some text.
OK VoiceOver macOS 13.6Safari 16.6 Reading Table, 1 column, 1 row. This is some text, column 1 of 1.
OK VoiceOver iOS 16.6Safari iOS 16.6 Reading Treated as a data table. This is some text. Table start, end.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 15.6Safari iOS 15.6 Reading Role ignored, treated as a layout table. This is some text.

Test notes

All tests were carried out with screen reader factory settings. JAWS in particular has a wide variety of settings controlling exactly what gets spoken.

Screen readers allow users to interact in different modes, and can produce very different results in each mode. The modes used in these tests are:

  • Reading Content read using the “read next” command in a screen reader
  • Tabbing Content read using the “tab” key in a screen reader
  • Heading Content read using the “next heading” key in a screen reader
  • Touch Content read when touching an area of screen on a mobile device

In the “What the user hears” column:

  • Commas represent short pauses in screen reader voicing
  • Full Stops represent places where voicing stops, and the “read next” or “tab” or “next heading” command is pressed again
  • Ellipsis … represent a long pause in voicing
  • (Brackets) represent voicing that requires a keystroke to hear