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New features for tables in axesWord 24.0.0 Beta

Here you can find out more about the new table functions in axesWord 24.0.0 Beta.

Further information on tables can be found in the article Tables and in our detailed manual Creating accessible tables with axesWord.

Assigning header cells via the Word functions "Header Row" and "First Column"

Since axesWord 24.0, you can assign the table header of simple data tables, where the table header is only the top-most row and/or the left-most column, using the Word functions Header Row and First Column.

Requirements

The table itself must be assigned the role Automatic or Table with axesWord and no paragraph styles with the role Header Cell (Simple Table) or Header Cell (Complex Table) can be used within the table.

If paragraph styles with the role Header Cell (Simple Table) or Header Cell (Complex Table) are used in the table, the Word functions Header Row and First Column are ignored during PDF export in order to avoid incorrect assignment.

Using the Word functions “Header row” and “First column”

How to use the Word functions Header Row and First Column for simple data tables with a table header in the top-most row and/or in the left-most column:

  1. Click in the table in your document so that the Table Design tab appears in the ribbon and select it.
  2. In the Table Style Options function group, you will find the Header Row and First Column options.
    Screenshot: 'Table Design' tab with the highlighted options 'Header Row' and 'First Column'
  3. If the table header is in the top row of your table, activate the checkbox for Header Row. If the table header is in the left-hand column of your table, activate the checkbox for First Column. You can also activate both options if this applies to your table.Screenshot: Function group 'Table Style Options' with the highlighted options 'Header Row' and 'First Column'

Assigning the header cells via paragraph styles

You can find out how to assign the header cells using paragraph styles in the article Tables and in our detailed manual Creating accessible tables with axesWord.

Prioritization of assignments during PDF export

The header cell assignments are prioritized as follows during PDF export:

  1. Paragraph styles with role assignment: If paragraph styles with the role Header Cell (Simple Table) or Header Cell (Complex Table) exist in the table, the TH tags are implemented in the PDF using these paragraph styles. For simple tables, the TH tags are assigned via the scope attribute during export, for complex tables via header IDs.
  2. Word functions: If there are no paragraph styles with the role Header Cell (Simple Table) or Header Cell (Complex Table) in the table, but the Word functions Header Row and/or First Column are activated, the TH tags are set using Header Row and/or First Column and assigned via the scope attribute.
  3. No header cells assigned: If there are no paragraph styles with the role Header Cell (Simple Table) or Header Cell (Complex Table) in the table and Header Row and First Column are deactivated, no TH tags are set.