Tables
Table header cell is empty
WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A)
- WCAG 2.2
- 1.3.1 Info and Relationships
- Level
- A
- Default severity
- Tip
- Available in
- Free
Updated for Lumtera 1.2.2 and Lumtera Pro 1.1.1.
Why does it matter?
An empty header cell gives the cells under it nothing to announce, so values lose their meaning.
Who it affects: Screen reader users, who hear the header for each cell as they move through a table.
What does Lumtera flag?
Empty <th> cells, except the common top-left corner cell.
Check ID table-empty-header — use it to filter the content report or with wp lumtera issues --rule.
How do I fix it in WordPress?
Type a short name for the column or row into the header cell.
Example
<tr><th>Plan</th><th></th></tr><tr><th>Plan</th><th>Price</th></tr>How do I check the fix?
- Update the post. The issue disappears from the Lumtera Accessibility sidebar on the next check, and from the site report on the next scan.
- With a screen reader, move cell by cell (VoiceOver: Ctrl + Option + arrow keys). Each value should be announced with its column or row header.
Find this issue across your whole site
Lumtera runs this check in the block editor sidebar as you write, in the Elementor panel, in Review mode on the live page, and across the whole site in the content report and with wp lumtera scan. You can change its severity or turn it off in Lumtera → Settings.
Related checks
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WCAG 1.3.1 · AError
Heading is empty
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WCAG 1.3.1 · ANeeds review
Heading level is skipped
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WCAG 1.3.1 · ATip
Content uses an H1 heading
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WCAG 1.3.1 · ATip
Bold text may be a heading
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WCAG 1.3.1 · ATip
Heading is very long
-
WCAG 4.1.2 · AError
Form field has no label
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