Tables can play a vital role is presenting reliable and accurate data on your pages.  The intended purpose of tables is for this presentation of data.  They are not to be used for page layout and design.  Using a table for the purpose of layout and design can cause numerous problems for our users who access the site with screen readers.  Since we are striving to achieve a high level of ADA compliance, tables are only available for arranging and displaying data in a logical and neatly formatted manner.  There are some important aspects to consider before employing a table on your page.

Planning

Before you place a table on your page, step back and think about the data you wish to present.  The most important question to ask is, "Will placing this data in a table be the best method for delivering my department's message?"  There are times when the answer may not warrant using a table.  If so, there are alternative methods for displaying your content in an appealing and easy-to-read format.

Available Designs and Styles

When you do need to use a table to display data, there are two styles available for your use.  Both styles are setup in a manner that is beneficial to the City of Tacoma's overall image and should not be altered.  No additional table styles will be allowed.  

The first table style provides blue shading for the header row with bold text, a small border around the cells, padding for the cell content, and alternate font colors for the first column, last column, and last row.  

The second table offers none of the color or style options but does provide padding for the cells.

While the above designs are easy to apply and utilize, there are a few key points to remember when you implement a table on your page.

• Use the Table Wizard to add and edit tables.
• If the table is not very wide or only has a few columns, set the width to 70%.
• If the table is wide and has quite a few columns, set the width to 100%.
• Add a heading to each column for better ADA compliance.
• Select the Associate table headers with columns option for better ADA compliance.
• Include a summary of the table in the Table Wizard.
• Do not alter any other aspects of a table without prior consent from the Media and Communications Office.

Questions

The Media and Communications Office is here to help. If at any point you need assistance with the content of your pages, feel free to contact Goldin Doles at (253) 573-2506 or via email. If you need technical assistance setting up a table, please submit a T-Ticket with the IT Department.