Table formatting

[oneilllj]

I would like to make a table that has multiple rows, however, each row will have a different number of cells/columns.

I understand I can do this in HTML editor, however, for teachers who want to quickly create a table, what would be the best way? (I have also tried pasting from Microsoft Word, however, the table still needs to be formatting, often ending in HTML Editor to clean it up).

Thanks in advance

[Jeff_F]

Hello @oneilllj - For this I would start by creating the table using the max number of columns and rows I would want. And then I would select adjacent cells I wish to merge and use the command Cell > Merge cells. Wash, rinse, repeat.  ;o)

Merge cells

The following guide has a an incredible amount of detail about tables. See the 'View Cell Format Options' for details on commands including merge cells.

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/How-do-I-insert-a-table-using-the-Rich-Conten... 

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ps. I also suggest exploring the upcoming block editor feature. This should give the teachers super powers!  
https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/The-Product-Blog/Update-on-the-Block-Editor/ba-p/618787 

[oneilllj]

Thanks for the reply @Jeff_F. My main issue is that I was trying to split the cell/s and the function was not available, as per my image. The current work around for us has been to create many separate mini tables each with one row and then the relevant number of columns. This has been the easiest way to ensure everything is evenly spread across the page.

Is there any update about when the block editor will be released?

[Chris_Hofer · Accepted solution]

@oneilllj ...

What is the purpose of the table?  Is it to hold data?  Or is it for design purposes?  If it's to hold data, that's fine.  But, if it is for designing the layout of your content page, then that's not really what tables are meant for ... though I can understand why some people want to do it.  Using tables for page layout can cause accessibility issues.  I just wanted to throw that idea out there if that might apply for your situation.

As for the Block Editor...the only update I've recently seen is here:

Update on the Block Editor - Instructure Community - 618787

You can post your questions on that blog entry for Allison.

Hope this helps a bit.

[racheledomingue]

Tables have proven to be the best way for me to layout my course content, aligning with my course schedule.  If that's not really what tables are for, can you point me to resources that will help me layout my course content in a graphical way that adheres to best practices for accessibiity?

[oneilllj]

@racheledomingue our staff use tables for outlining their unit plans and even lesson plans. As teachers, this is also one of the quickest and easiest ways to include their information - I often describe to staff that the RCE editor page is just like a word document. 

I think there could be many users in the Canvas community who are using the HTML editor for their pages, whereby the use of tables can be reduced - as images and text are coded to be on certain parts of a page (rather than using tables to arrange the page into a format that meets your needs).

To date, we have been using a combination of borderless tables to include navigation and then text/tables etc for content. I have recently shared with staff how they could use accordion menus on their pages to break up content and to avoid what we tend to call the doom scroll. I have had to learn the code and find easy ways to set this up for staff to use - and the user has to be confident to do this as well.

I have started to look into the block editor options, which do provide some nice options for layout, however, in my role, I prefer to find something that is manageable and sustainable for staff and at the moment tables and text is their best way.

There are lots of great options and examples on Canvas Commons. I have recently found that you can embed apps like genially onto pages which makes for a great visual and interaction for displaying content for students. This might be an option for you while the block editor continues to be tested.

[Jeff_F]

Chris is on the money with the concern about accessibility. Our designers typically avoid use of tables for that reason.