Adding a table

How to add a table

You can add tables directly in the text editor to display information in rows and columns. Tables are best used for presenting structured data—not for page layout.

Step 1: Insert a table

1. In the text editor, place your cursor where you want the table to appear.
2. Select the Table icon from the toolbar (grid-shaped icon).

Step 2: Configure your table

1. In the Insert table dialog:
   1. Choose the number of rows and columns.
2. Once a table is inserted, you can:
   1. Add or remove rows/columns: Insert new rows above/below or columns before/after. You can also delete rows/columns.
   2. Add table headers: Mark the first row or column as a header for accessibility. Always designate header rows and/or columns so screen readers can interpret the table structure correctly.
   3. Add captions: Provide a descriptive caption for the table to summarize what the table shows in plain language.
   4. Sorting: You can enable/disable the ability to sort by column values.

Step 3: Add content to your table

1. Enter your content into the table cells.
2. To adjust the table later, click inside the table to open table options.
3. Click Save to save the table and its content when your are finished editing. 

Notes

• Keep tables simple: Avoid complex or nested tables. They’re difficult for screen readers and may not display well on mobile.
• Avoid using tables for layout: Use tables only for data, not to position content on a page.
• Large tables may be harder to read on mobile devices. Break content into smaller tables or lists where possible.
• HarvardSites follows Harvard accessibility standards, which require all tables to be structured and labeled properly. Merged cells are not allowed.