HTML Table Conversion Case Study
Follow a fictional conversion from a simple HTML report table to verified Markdown.
This fictional case study converts a simple public report table while preserving meaning and accessibility.
Inspect the source
The source has one header row, four ordinary rows, links in one column and a final total row. It has no merged cells or interactive controls.
Extract structure
Use header text as Markdown headings and visible cell text as values. Preserve meaningful link destinations, decode HTML entities and discard purely visual classes.
Identify the total
The total row is data, not decoration. Retain its label and values, then check the arithmetic against the source rather than assuming the final HTML row is correct.
Handle an awkward cell
One value contains a vertical bar. Escape it and preview the result; otherwise the row appears to gain a column.
Document loss
Caption placement, column widths, sorting controls and colour cues are not preserved in a plain Markdown table. Recreate essential context in prose.
Acceptance evidence
Compare row and column counts, every link, the total and the awkward value in the target renderer. Keep the source URL and access date where reuse rights allow the content to be reproduced.