Why are data tables important in PowerPoint?

Data tables are those tables where the information in a cell requires information from a row and/or column header to adequately describe the cell’s content.

Screen readers keep track of their location in a table by counting table cells.

Screen readers keep track of their location in a table by counting table cells. If a table is nested within another table or if a cell is merged or split, the screen reader loses count and can’t provide helpful information about the table after that point.

Blank cells in a table could also mislead someone using a screen reader into thinking that there is nothing more in the table.

Screen readers also use header information to identify rows and columns.