Table Header Cell Has No Associated Sub Cells

Welcome to an in-depth exploration of a specific issue related to PDF/UA compliance testing, known as the ‘Table Header Cell Has No Associated Sub Cells’ error. This error often comes up when using the PAC 2021 checker, and today, we’re going to walk you through how to address it.

Video Guide

Understanding the ‘Table Header Cell Has No Associated Sub Cells’ Error

When you test a sample file with the PAC 2021 tool, and delve into the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) under ‘Perceivable’ and ‘Adaptable’ and then into ‘Info and Relationships’, you may encounter an error called ‘Table Header Cell Assignments’. Essentially, this error occurs when your table header cells lack associated sub cells.

A Step-By-Step Guide to Resolving the Error

Resolving this issue is not as daunting as it may seem. By using Adobe Acrobat’s ‘Table Editor’, you can easily tackle this error. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Open your sample file in Adobe Acrobat.
2. Access the ‘Table Editor’ by selecting the ‘Accessibility’ button, then the ‘Reading Order’ button. This allows you to right-click inside your table and select ‘Table Editor’.
3. Notice that a header row is applied to your table. Right-click on the table and select ‘Auto Generate Header Cell IDs’. This action will assign a unique name to each individual cell.
4. To add more specificity, you can manually input names as the header cell ID such as ‘Course Name’, ‘Faculty’, ‘Summary’, and ‘Code’ by right-clicking and selecting ‘Table Cell Properties’.
5. Now, assign the scope to all these headers by selecting them while holding the ‘Shift’ key. Open ‘Table Cell Properties’ again, change the scope from ‘None’ to ‘Column’, and select ‘OK’.
6. Finally, you’ll need to assign individual cells to their respective header cells. This can be done by selecting the cells under each header name, right-clicking, and choosing ‘Table Cell Properties’. Under ‘Associated Header Cell IDs’, select the ‘+’ button, choose the appropriate header ID, and select ‘OK’.
7. Once you’ve assigned all your cells, save your file.

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Verifying the Solution

Test your newly saved file with the PAC 2021 tool one more time. You should now see a green checkmark next to ‘Table Header Cell Assignments’ under WCAG, indicating that the ‘Table Header Cell Has No Associated Sub Cells’ error is resolved.

The Importance of This Fix

While this specific error is not a required criterion for passing Adobe Acrobat or Section 508 checks, ensuring full compliance with PDF/UA and WCAG checks can greatly enhance user experience, especially for those using assistive technology. So, always put in the extra effort when possible, as it creates a more inclusive digital environment.

Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!