Data or header cells must not be used to give caption to a data table.

To fix the problem, ensure the table uses an actual caption element instead of cells with a colspan element to visually indicate a caption.

To ensure screen reader users can make sense of tabular data, use the caption element for an onscreen title.

Example: Simple data table with a caption element

<table class="data">
    <caption>
      Greensprings Running Club Personal Bests
    </caption>
Greensprings Running Club Personal Bests
</caption>
    <thead>
    <tr>
      <th scope="col">Name</th>
      <th scope="col">1 mile</th>
      <th scope="col">5 km</th>
      <th scope="col">10 km</th>
    </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
    <tr>
      <th scope="row">Mary</th>
      <td>8:32</td>
      <td>28:04</td>
      <td>1:01:16</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <th scope="row">Betsy</th>
      <td>7:43</td>
      <td>26:47</td>
      <td>55:38</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <th scope="row">Matt</th>
      <td>7:55</td>
      <td>27:29</td>
      <td>57:04</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <th scope="row">Todd</th>
      <td>7:01</td>
      <td>24:21</td>
      <td>50:35</td>
    </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>