Excel Spreadsheets

General Recommendations

  1. Avoid merging cells. This can cause a screen reader user to not know how cells relate to rows and columns.
  2. Avoid using blank cells for formatting purposes. It is generally better to use other formatting tools such as adjusting column width or height.
  3. Include a title before any set of data in a spreadsheet. This title can be in the row above the first row, preferably in cell A1.
  4. Make sure all data rows and columns are labeled as in a data table. Use white text to include headers that might be distracting to sighted users.
  5. A table can also be marked as a named region to enable column and row headers to be read out optimally in screen readers.  See the Named Regions and Header Names section of this page for more information.
  6. Put some text into cell A1. Preferably this should be the title of the data set, but if that is not possible, it should information about the structure and location of data, even if the color is set to white.
  7. Add an “End of Table” message in the row after the last row of a data table row. The text can be in white.

      Multiple Data Sets

      1. If a spreadsheet includes multiple sets of data, they should ideally be split into separate sheets. This allows users on a screen reader more easily navigate to different sets of data.
      2. Make names of sheets meaningful and unique.
      3. Each sheet should follow the recommendations in the section above.

        Named Regions and Header Names

        Using the Names feature, it is possible to name a range of cells in such a way that header cells are spoken along with the value of the cell. This allows a person using a screen reader to understand the structure of a table more clearly.

        Example Table

        To clarify the explanations, this sample mock spreadsheet table will be used as a reference.

        Cells A B C D E F
        1 SP16 Grades
        2 Name HW #1 HW #2 HW #3 HW #4 HW #5
        3 Picard, J. 100 90 95 100 85
        4 Riker, W. 90 85 80 90 85
        5 Troi, D. 100 100 95 100 100

        Mock Student Grades by Homework:

        Please note that in this example table:

        • Cell A1 contains the title "SP16 Grades".
        • Cells A2-F2 contain column headers Name and HW#1-HW#5
        • Cells A3-A5 contain row headers for student names (Picard, J. through Troi, D.)
        • The range for this region will be A1…F5.

        Windows and Mac

        1. Input data into a range of cells such that each column and row has a label and there are no merged cells.
        2. Move your cursor to the top left cell of the range (e.g. cell A2). This should be a column header. Note: You don’t need to highlight the entire range.
        3. In the Formulas tab, select Define Name (tag icon).
        4. For the Name field input a name with the following template: Title<RegionName>..<rightcell>. For instance, for the table above, the name would be TitleSP16Grades..F5.  Note: Names not following this template do not facilitate screen reader access.
        5. Click OK to set the name. The region Name has been set for a screen reader.  Note: The Name is displayed in the formula bar when the cursor is in the top most shell. Other than that there is no visible change on the spreadsheet.

          Chart Wizard

          If you are using the Chart Wizard:

          1. Add alternate text for any inserted chart, object or image used in Excel.
          2. Use the formatting options in line charts to create different types of dotted lines to facilitate legibility for colorblind users.
          3. Check each of the chart's elements' color contrast using Colour Contrast Analyser.  The contrast ratio should be 4.5:1 or higher.
          4. Use the formatting options to change the chart to a darker color for better color contrast.
          5. Add a text key for bar charts or change the default colors to a color palette with high contrast.

          Accessibility Checker

          The Microsoft Accessibility Checker report can be used to find common errors like missing image alternate text, merged cells, and other issues in an Excel document.

          Last modified December 30, 2020