Re: Query: HTML table summary attribute

Richard, well, not too sure, but searching around found -

from : http://www.w3.org/TR/html-markup/table.html

The summary attribute on the table element is obsolete. Consider 
describing the structure of the table in a caption element or in a 
figure element containing the table element; or, simplify the structue 
of the table so that no description is needed.

from : http://www.w3ctutorial.com/html5-tags/tag-table (note: NOT W3C 
affiliate)

Differences Between HTML 4.01 and HTML5 - (on NOT border, cellpadding, 
cellspacing, frame, rules, width) - Only the "summary" attribute is 
supported in HTML5.

Tips and Notes - You should try not to use the "summary" attribute. If 
the information in the "summary" attribute is important, you should use 
a table caption or add a text paragraph before and/or after the table.

But then they counter themselves concerning summary with -
from : http://www.w3schools.com/tags/tag_table.asp

Differences Between HTML 4.01 and HTML5
The "align", "bgcolor", "border", "cellpadding", "cellspacing", "frame", 
"rules", "summary", and "width" attributes are not supported in HTML5.

from : 
http://www.developerfusion.com/article/136530/making-tables-more-accessible-with-html5/

The <caption> tag is the perfect vehicle for delivering the explanation 
of a table’s function in HTML.

This thread asks the same question : 
http://webaim.org/discussion/mail_thread?thread=5604

The main point is that any explanations about the purpose and
structure of a table that are needed for proper understanding should be
given in normal content before the table, or in the <caption> element.

Some discussions: 
https://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html/2011Apr/0091.html

W3C Wiki - 
http://www.w3.org/html/wg/wiki/ChangeProposals/SummaryAttribute20100222

And the W3C Spec for table in HTML5 : 
http://www.w3.org/TR/2011/WD-html5-20110525/tabular-data.html

Note, I have also opened an issue - 
https://github.com/htacg/tidy-html5/issues/210 - to further discuss this 
point.

Received on Monday, 4 May 2015 10:03:41 UTC