The Data Table Fallback
Offer the underlying numbers in an accessible table.
The Data Table Fallback is a free Web Accessibility Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Web Accessibility Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
When Words Are Not Enough
A one-line summary tells the story, but some users want the numbers. A data table gives them the raw values behind the chart.
The Table Is the Source of Truth
Think of the chart as a visualization of a table. Offer that same table in real markup and every assistive tech can read it perfectly.
Use a Real table Element
Screen readers understand the native table element deeply: rows, columns, and headers all announce correctly with no extra ARIA.
<table>
<tr><th>Month</th><th>Sales</th></tr>
<tr><td>Jan</td><td>120</td></tr>
</table>Give the Table a caption
A caption names the table so a listener knows what data they entered. It reads out the moment focus lands on the table.
<table><caption>Monthly sales in 2024</caption> ... </table>Header Cells With th and scope
Mark labels as th with a scope, so each value announces with its column and row. That context is everything in a table.
<th scope="col">Sales</th>
<th scope="row">January</th>Place It Right by the Chart
Put the fallback table next to the chart, not on a separate page. Users should reach the data without hunting for it.
Optionally Hide It Visually
If the table clutters the design, hide it visually but keep it for screen readers using a visually-hidden class, never display none.
.visually-hidden { position: absolute; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; }Never display none the Data
Watch out: display: none removes content from the accessibility tree entirely. Hidden that way, your fallback helps nobody.
A details Toggle Works Too
Wrap the table in a details element so sighted users can expand the numbers on demand while it stays fully accessible.
<details><summary>View data table</summary>
<table>...</table>
</details>Keep Table and Chart in Sync
If the chart updates, the table must update too. Stale numbers behind a fresh chart quietly mislead the people relying on them.
One Source, Two Views
Ideally both the chart and table render from the same data. That keeps them honest and saves you maintaining two truths. 🔗
Quick Check
How should you hide a data table that you still want screen readers to read?
Recap: The Numbers Behind the Picture
You learned to back any chart with a real table: captioned, header-scoped, kept in sync, and hidden safely if needed, never with display none. 📋
Frequently asked questions
Is the “The Data Table Fallback” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “The Data Table Fallback” is free to read here on the web, and the Web Accessibility Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Web Accessibility Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “The Data Table Fallback”?
Offer the underlying numbers in an accessible table. You practise Web Accessibility Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Web Accessibility Academy?
No prior experience is required. Web Accessibility Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “The Data Table Fallback” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Web Accessibility Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Web Accessibility Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.