Excel Accessibility Fundamentals
Learn how workbook structure affects whether people can navigate, interpret, and use spreadsheet data. This session introduces practical concepts for organizing tables, headers, charts, links, and color so the information remains understandable.
Location: Online via Zoom
Duration: 60 min
Your Instructor
Shawn Jordison – ‘The Accessibility Guy’
Shawn Jordison, known as The Accessibility Guy, has more than 17 years of experience helping organizations create accessible documents, training, and content that meet Section 508, WCAG, and PDF/UA standards.
About the session
Spreadsheets can become difficult to navigate when their meaning depends on visual position, color, or an author’s familiarity with the workbook. Clear structure helps readers understand where information begins, how data is related, and what each part of the workbook represents.
This introductory session explains how Section 508 and WCAG relate to Excel workbooks and how assistive technologies interact with tabular data. Participants learn why headers, tables, worksheet organization, links, charts, and color choices matter—and how common design decisions can create barriers.
The course introduces frequently encountered spreadsheet failures, explains how issues are identified, and shows the characteristics of a well-organized Excel file. Participants also receive an overview of the built-in Excel features that support document review and inclusive data presentation.
This is a conceptual session and does not include hands-on remediation.
What You’ll Learn
- How Section 508 and WCAG relate to spreadsheet content
- How assistive technologies interact with tabular data
- Why clear data organization matters
- How headers help readers understand relationships within a table
- The difference between visually arranged data and properly structured tables
- How charts can create barriers when meaning is available only visually
- How links should be written and organized
- When color use may hide or confuse important information
- Common spreadsheet design patterns that create problems
- Which Excel features support workbook review
After This Session, You’ll Be Able To
- Explain how workbook structure affects navigation and interpretation
- Recognize common problems involving headers, tables, charts, links, and color
- Describe the characteristics of a well-organized spreadsheet
- Identify when data depends too heavily on visual position or formatting
- Determine when a workbook may require additional review or remediation
Who This Course Is For
This course is designed for:
- People who create, maintain, review, or publish Excel workbooks
- Employees responsible for reviewing spreadsheets before publication
- Developing accessibility professionals who need a spreadsheet foundation
- Anyone preparing to take the Microsoft Excel Accessibility Applied workshop
Logistics
Location: Online via Zoom
Duration: 60 min
Start Time: 12:00 PM PT
Certification: Certificate of Completion issued to attendees who complete the full session
FAQs
Is this a hands-on session?
No. This is a conceptual fundamentals session. Hands-on workbook review and correction are covered in the Microsoft Excel Accessibility Applied workshop.
Do I need prior experience?
No. The session is designed for people who are new to this work.
Do I need special software to attend?
No. You can simply watch and learn.
Does this course cover formulas or complex data analysis?
No. The focus is on organizing and presenting workbook content so people can navigate and interpret the information reliably.
Does the course cover charts?
Yes. The session examines how charts present information and the problems that can occur when meaning is available only visually.
Is this useful for reviewing spreadsheets created by other people?
Yes. You will learn to recognize common structural problems and identify areas that may need further review.
What materials are included?
Attendees receive a topic-specific Excel accessibility cheat sheet.
Is a recording included?
A recording is not included with registration but may be purchased separately for a fee.
What do I need to attend?
Join from any computer with a reliable internet connection. We use Zoom to provide an engaging, interactive learning experience. A microphone is recommended for participating in discussions, and a webcam is optional but encouraged.
How accessible is the training?
As accessibility specialists, we design our training to be inclusive from the start. Sessions include live captions, and if you have accessibility requirements, we’ll work with you before the course to help ensure a successful learning experience. If you need additional support, contact us.
Related products
PDF Accessibility Applied
$200.00
