Google Docs Tables, Charts, and Graphs

Tables

Use simple tables in the presentation. A simple table is a table with one column and a row header. Complex tables have irregular headers (header cells that span multiple rows or columns), merged cells, multi-level column or row headers, and other features. Below is an example of a complex table.

Avoid creating overly complex tables to facilitate comprehension.

To add a table to your presentation:

1. Go to Insert > Table.
2. Click on the small arrow next to the table to select the table size by choosing the appropriate number of squares.
   

   

3. Insert the table with the desired number of columns and rows.

Designating the header row or column helps the screen reader users navigate the table. The screen reader will read each cell and its associated header out loud.

However, you cannot designate a header row in the table using Google Docs. You will need to download the Grackle add-on for Google Docs. Grackle Docs is an add-on that runs in Google Docs, scanning the document for accessibility issues. Follow the Grackle Docs Installation guide to download and install Grackle Docs for your Google account.

1. When you perform accessibility testing using Grackle Docs, an issue appears regarding the table: "Tables must be tagged or marked as layout tables."
   
2. Click on the issue to expand the window, and then click the Locate + TAG button.
3. A new window allows you to designate a header row or column.
4. Please select the first row and mark it as a header to designate it as such. If your first column is also a header, check Mark's first column as a header. Click the "Update" button to apply the changes. This will mark the first table row as a header.
   

This will mark the first table row as a header.

Charts and Graphs

To create accessible charts and graphs, use the available Google features. Unlike Microsoft, Google Workspace does not have the option to add an automatically generated data table related to the chart. Add alternative text to the chart to convey information to the screen reader users, or you can create a table manually below the chart using the Insert > Table option.

To create a chart or graph:

1. Go to Insert > Chart.
2. Click on the Chart and choose the type of chart or graph you want to use.
   
3. The chart or graph will automatically be inserted.
   
4. To edit the data within the chart, click on the link icon and choose the Open Source option to open your Google Sheets source data.
   
5. Clicking on the open-source button will open Google Sheets in a new browser window where you can edit the information for the chart data.
6. Once you are done updating the information in Google Sheets, go back to the chart or graph and click on the update button (refresh symbol) to update it.