This article explains how to fix Blackboard's "missing table headers" warning and provides guidance on creating tables in Microsoft Office.

It also explains when it's better to use or avoid tables, as well as the reasons why you should always add table headers. 

Resolving the "This document contains tables that are missing headers" warning in Blackboard

You can fix Blackboard's "missing table headers" warning by adding header rows and columns to Microsoft Word tables. This ensures disabled people using screen readers can navigate your tables effectively.

Step-by-step instructions

When Blackboard reports this issue, follow these steps:

1. Open the original file in Microsoft Word
2. Navigate to the table that Blackboard highlights
3. Check that your information suits table presentation (we explain this below)
4. If your information is not tabular data, choose a different format (see the section "When to use tables")
5. If your information belongs in a table, follow the section "Creating tables in Office"
6. Upload your updated document using the "Upload a version with table headers" section in the accessibility report

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When to use tables

Use tables when presenting genuinely tabular data with clear relationships between rows and columns. Examples include:

• Financial data comparing quarterly results across departments
• Student assessment scores across different modules
• Event schedules showing dates, times and locations

For example, a research project tracking table might display:

Research project tracking table

Project ID	Lead Researcher	Lead Researcher	Start Date	Completion Status
PRJ-2024-01	Dr Jane Smith	Psychology	15 March 2024	In Progress
PRJ-2024-02	Prof Thomas Lee	Computing	21 January 2024	Complete

When you use a table, you are setting the expectation that you are presenting data in tabular format.

The critical importance of table headers

Without proper headers, tables become confusing and potentially unusable for those relying on assistive technologies.

Why headers matter

Table headers serve as the cognitive framework that gives meaning to your data. They:

• Provide essential context for interpreting cell content
• Enable screen readers to announce relationships between data points
• Support cognitive accessibility for all users, including those with learning disabilities
• Allow proper navigation through complex data structures

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When to avoid tables

Avoid using tables for these non-tabular purposes:

• Page layouts and design structures
• Creating columns of text
• Positioning images alongside text
• Creating forms

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Creating tables in Office

You can add a table to a document using the Insert option on the ribbon and selecting Table.

With the table selected, you should see the Table Design options in the ribbon. Here you will find options to select whether your table has a Header Row (the top row of the table contains the headers for the columns) and / or First Column (the first column contains row headers).

Examples

First column example

Vehicle Service Record

Customer	Ms Smith
Vehicle	Ford Fiesta
Licence	NA55 JZU
Last serviced	05/09/2024
Next MOT	01/08/2025

For this table type, where the first column provides headings, use First Column.

Note: This represents the maximum accessibility you can achieve for this table type once the document is uploaded to Blackboard. Blackboard does not recognise First Column tables and will continue to show the accessibility warning for this file.

Header row table example

Book Catalogue

Product ID	Genre	Release date
BK-2024-01	Mystery	15 March 2026
BK-2024-02	Romance	5 April 2026
BK-2026-03	Historical	6 June 2026

For this table, where each cell in the first row is a column heading, use Header Row.

Repeat the header row across pages

If your table uses a header row, you must configure it to repeat across pages:

1. Open the table properties
2. Select Row
3. Deselect "Allow row to break across pages"
4. Select "Repeat as header row at the top of each page"

This ensures that when your table spans multiple pages, the header row appears on each page. This makes tables easier to follow for everyone.

Using this setting proves essential for passing Blackboard's table check.

Header row and first column example

Weekly Opening Hours

Day	Morning	Afternoon
Monday	Closed	Open
Tuesday	Open	Open
Wednesday	Open	Closed
Thursday	Open	Open
Friday	Closed	Closed

For this table, where each cell in the first row and each cell in the first column are headings, use both Header Row and First Column.

Follow the same steps to repeat the header row.

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Avoid merged and split cells

Merged cells and split cells make tables harder for assistive technologies to interpret. You can redesign tables to avoid merged or split cells.

You might consider merging the first row's cells into a single cell to title your table. Instead, use a table caption.

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Getting IT help

If you need help, please contact ServiceLine or visit one of our Tech Hubs.

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Related content

Introduction to digital accessibility 

Accessibility resources: knowledge base articles and university tools

Add, format, or delete captions in Word - Microsoft Support (external source)