In JavaScript, the ariaColIndexText property of Element reflects the aria-colindextext attribute, which defines a human-readable text alternative of aria-colindex (MDN).
Read the notes below before you get or set this property. Prefer feature detection when support is limited.
Syntax
Use el.ariaColIndexText. Start with this line.
JavaScript
el.ariaColIndexText
Call
What it does
el.ariaColIndexText
Primary signature.
Built into the browser. Read or assign el.ariaColIndexText — no import required.
Library declarations
JavaScript
el.ariaColIndexText
Parameters
Parameter
Description
ariaColIndex
Required. Numeric position tracking
ariaColIndexText
Optional. Spoken / readable alternative
Cell / columnheader
Required. Where the attributes live
Return Value
Return Value
Description
*
The current value of el.ariaColIndexText.
JavaScript Examples
Example 1 — Read ariaColIndexText
MDN-style header: read the reflected human-readable string.
JavaScript
const el = document.getElementById("role-heading");
console.log(el.ariaColIndexText);
Select the header. It should also have aria-colindex.
Read ariaColIndexText. Returns the reflected string.
Expect plain text. Not a number — a phrase for humans/AT.
Feature-detect in older browsers (Newly available).
Example 2 — Get and Set (MDN)
Update the human-readable alternative from script.
JavaScript
const el = document.getElementById("role-heading");
console.log(el.ariaColIndexText);
el.ariaColIndexText = "New column name";
console.log(el.ariaColIndexText); // "New column name"
Keep the number.ariaColIndex = "110" for position tracking.
Add meaning. Text AT can say instead of a raw column number.
Use sparingly. Only when the numeric index is not meaningful (MDN).
Test support. Newly available — detect before relying on it.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Element.ariaColIndexText is Baseline Newly available (MDN: since December 2025). It is not Deprecated, Experimental, or Non-standard — still feature-detect for older clients.
✓ Baseline Newly available
Element.ariaColIndexText
Reflects aria-colindextext as a human-readable alternative to aria-colindex. Keep the numeric index too.
NewNewly available (Dec 2025)
Google ChromeSupported · Desktop & Mobile
Full support
Mozilla FirefoxSupported · Desktop & Mobile
Full support
Apple SafariSupported · macOS & iOS
Full support
Microsoft EdgeSupported · Chromium
Full support
Internet ExplorerNo native support · Use a polyfill
Polyfill
OperaSupported · Modern versions
Full support
Samsung InternetSupported · Android
Full support
Android WebViewSupported · Modern WebView
Full support
ariaColIndexTextNew
Bottom line: Use when large column numbers confuse users. Always keep ariaColIndex. Detect support before depending on the IDL in older browsers.
Frequently Asked Questions
It reflects the aria-colindextext attribute as a string — a human-readable text alternative of the numeric aria-colindex (MDN).
No. MDN marks Element.ariaColIndexText as Baseline Newly available (since December 2025). It is not Deprecated, Experimental, or Non-standard. It may not work in older browsers.
ariaColIndex is a 1-based numeric position string (for example "110"). ariaColIndexText is optional friendly text AT can announce instead of that number (for example "Value at start of 2021").
Yes. MDN: whenever you include aria-colindextext, also keep aria-colindex — some assistive technologies rely on the numeric index for position tracking and table navigation.
Only when the numeric aria-colindex is not meaningful or does not reflect the displayed index — for example a huge spreadsheet column number (MDN).
Yes. Reading and writing ariaColIndexText updates the reflected aria-colindextext attribute.
