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headers attribute (html)

Screen Reader support level: partial (10/22)

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About this feature

The headers attribute gives authors a way to override implicit cell headers (via <th> elements) to accurately describe the structure of complex tables to assistive technology. Note: this is a difficult feature to test, as implicit headers often interfere with results. It's not possible to tell where the header originitated from when testing with an assistive technology; is this header sourced implicitly (via <th> elements) or explicitly (via the headers attribute). Most real world tables that require the headers attribute also make use of implicit headers. Several tests are included for this feature because of this, and some of the results may be false negatives.

Age of results

Results across all tests for this feature range from 2 years ago to 4 years ago. Detailed dates and version information can be found in associated tests.

Caution

Failing or partial results may be out of date. The oldest result is from 4 years ago. Consider running the associated tests and contributing results.

Expectations

What are expectations?

Screen Reader support by expectation

ExpectationJAWSNarratorNVDAOrcaTalkBackVoiceOver (iOS)VoiceOver (macOS)
ChromeEdgeFirefoxEdgeChromeEdgeFirefoxFirefoxChromeSafariSafari
MUST convey the defined cell headerssupportedsupportedpartial (1/2)nonepartial (1/2)partial (1/2)supportednonenonenonepartial (1/2)

Expectation: convey the defined cell headers

Rationale:

The user needs to know which headers apply to the current cell

Strength of this expectation for different types of assistive technologies:

  • Screen Readers: MUST
  • Voice Control: NA

Examples:

  • Screen readers will announce the headers defined by the attribute. The attribute value will override the implicit row and column headers.

Related features

These are features that are usually used in combination with this feature.

table element (html)

DragonJAWSNarratorNVDAOrcaTalkBackVoice AccessVC iOSVC MacOSVoiceOver (iOS)VoiceOver (macOS)Speech RecognitionWindows Voice AccessWindowsMaciOSAndroid Keyboard
unknownsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultunknownunknownunknownsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultunknownunknownunknownunknownunknownunknown

td element (html)

DragonJAWSNarratorNVDAOrcaTalkBackVoice AccessVC iOSVC MacOSVoiceOver (iOS)VoiceOver (macOS)Speech RecognitionWindows Voice AccessWindowsMaciOSAndroid Keyboard
unknownsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultunknownunknownunknownsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultunknownunknownunknownunknownunknownunknown

th element (html)

DragonJAWSNarratorNVDAOrcaTalkBackVoice AccessVC iOSVC MacOSVoiceOver (iOS)VoiceOver (macOS)Speech RecognitionWindows Voice AccessWindowsMaciOSAndroid Keyboard
unknownsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultunknownunknownunknownsupported with 1 unknown resultsupported with 1 unknown resultunknownunknownunknownunknownunknownunknown