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In this example, the scope attribute defines what the headers describe, column or row, which screen readers use. You can add a table using HTML rather than wiki markup, as described at HTML element#Tables. However, HTML tables are discouraged because wikitables are easier to customize and maintain, as described at manual of style on tables.
Editors sometimes use headerless tables as an aid to content layout, especially where it is easier than the equivalent use of divs and CSS styling. For complex layouts, rowspan and colspan may be used, but again it is sometimes simpler and more maintainable to use nested tables. Nested tables must start on a new line.
If you use tables for two-dimensional graphics you might discover a "feature" in HTML that promotes grey hair. It can affect both rows and columns, depending on the use of either rowspan or colspan. In this 7-row table three cells are assigned a rowspan of 3, but the table totals 6 rows. Where is row 4? There is a row 5-4!
The first uses colspan="2" <-- This row has three table data cells, but one spans two rows because it uses rowspan="2" <-- This row has only two table data cells, because its first is being taken up
The static-row-header class disables the number and border between other rows that use this class consecutively, simulating a rowspan (see Help:Table#Colspan and rowspan). It should be added to: Header rows excluding the first. For sortable tables, it prevents numbering when JavaScript is disabled. Rows using the sorttop or sortbottom class.
The wikitext must be correct. An incorrect rowspan organization can break sorting, cause weird table formatting, move data to the wrong column, etc. See examples below. When sorted all the rows are filled. Tables without rowspan are much easier to maintain by less experienced editors, and by editors who are stopping by only once to edit the table.
Background color on rows will look off if one of the cells spans multiple rows (ex. rowspan="2"). If the table is sortable, then this gets fixed once sorted since sortable collapses row spans. If the table is sortable, then this gets fixed once sorted since sortable collapses row spans.
Example: If merging non-similar cells is essential, while not ideal, a work-around is to create a hidden column. This column can be given an appropriate heading name, that will not appear to sighted readers but will be recognized and read by screen readers. The following example is a snippet of a table from List of chronometers on HMS Beagle.