Tables are one of the most common—and most frustrating—accessibility challenges in PDFs. Even if your table looks fine visually, a screen reader might not be able to interpret it unless it's properly tagged and structured.

Here’s how to manually tag a table in Adobe Acrobat Pro so it actually works for all users.

First, Why Does Table Tagging Matter?

Screen readers rely on the document’s tag tree to interpret tables. If Acrobat doesn’t recognize the structure, the reader can’t tell where headers are, how many columns exist, or what cell it’s in—especially when navigating row by row.

That’s not just frustrating—it’s a barrier to access.

Step-by-Step: Tagging a Table in Acrobat Pro

1. Open the Tags Panel

Go to:
View > Show/Hide > Navigation Panels > Tags
This is where Acrobat shows the document’s structure for assistive technologies.

2. Find or Create the Table Tag

If the table exists visually but no <Table> tag is in the tree:

• Open the Reading Order Tool
  Accessibility > Reading Order
• Draw a box around the entire table
• Click the “Table” button in the reading order popup
• Acrobat will attempt to tag the table and all its parts

3. Verify the Table Structure

In the Tags Panel, expand the new <Table> tag. You should see:

<Table>
<TR>
<TH>...</TH>
<TH>...</TH>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD>...</TD>
<TD>...</TD>
</TR>
</Table>

Make sure:

• Each row is a <TR> (table row)
• Header cells are <TH> (not <TD>)
• Data cells are <TD>
• No rows or cells are missing

4. Fix Tagging Manually (if Needed)

If the auto-tag didn’t get it right, you can:

• Right-click in the Tags panel to add or remove tags
• Use “New Tag” > TD / TH / TR / Table as needed
• Drag elements into the correct structure

This is common with merged cells, complex headers, or tables that were drawn manually in Word/PowerPoint.

5. Add Table Cell Properties (Scope!)

For screen readers to understand headers:

• Right-click a <TH> in the Tags panel
• Choose Table Cell Properties
• Set the Scope to Column or Row (depending on the header’s function)

Never skip this step—scope is what links headers to the correct data.

6. Test the Tag Tree

Use:

• Accessibility Checker (Accessibility > Full Check)
• Read Aloud or a screen reader like NVDA
• Confirm that content is read in logical row/column order
• Confirm headers are announced at the start of each row or column

Pro Tips for Table Tagging

• Keep tables simple: no merged cells, no layout-only tables
• Add Alt Text to the entire table only if it serves a unique purpose
• Mark complex, decorative, or placeholder tables as artifacts
• If the table is truly inaccessible, consider rebuilding in Word and re-exporting with tags

Want help reviewing your document?

Table tagging errors like “Regularity – Failed” and “Missing Headers” can derail your accessibility efforts. I can help clean them up—and explain what to avoid in the future.

Request a DocCheck audit
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