iamlost - 12:16 am on Feb 9, 2007 (gmt 0)

I would say simply personal preference or requirement specification (with accessibility concern noted). Most tables I read fit door#1. I believe this is primarily because it most closely replicates our normal ltr reading habit.

1. Do you place the 'importance' on the columns and read data across table by row? Or rephrased: is the table primary 'index' the first column?
Note: JAWS 'screen layout' mode reads this way.

2. Do you place the 'importance' on the rows and read the data down table by column? Or rephrased: is the table primary 'index' the first row?

3. Or is the table a true matrix where the juncture is most important?
Example: a milage chart with city names repeated both down the first column and across the first row. Picking any two cities yields the same juncture regardless which is read from row or column.