Everything you need to know to write effective alt text
Alternative text (alt text) is descriptive text which conveys the meaning and context of a visual item in a digital setting, such as on an app or web page. When screen readers like Microsoft Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA reach content with alt text, the alt text is read aloud so people can better understand what's on the screen.
Make your Word documents accessible to people with disabilities
Avoid common accessibility issues such as missing alternative text (alt text) and low contrast colors. Use the Accessibility Checker . Make it easy for everyone to read your documents.
Video: Improve accessibility with alt text - Microsoft Support
Alt text can be read by screen readers, and helps people who are blind or who have low vision understand what images and other objects are in a document. You can add alt text to objects, such as pictures, clip art, charts, tables, shapes, SmartArt, embedded objects, and audio or …
Rules for the Accessibility Checker - Microsoft Support
Screen readers speak the alternative text to describe images and other non-text content that users can’t see. Based on alt text, users can understand the purpose and meaning of the described content.
Video: Inspect files for accessibility issues - Microsoft Support
Use the Accessibility Checker tool to look for accessibility issues in your Office documents. Select File > Info. Select Check for Issues > Check Accessibility. In the Inspection Results, select an issue.
Video: Create accessible links in Word - Microsoft Support
You can make hyperlinks more accessible by changing their display text to something more natural and meaningful. Just right-click the hyperlink on the page and then choose. When you select the link like this, Word automatically copies it into the dialog.
Video: Create accessible tables in Word - Microsoft Support
Select the Alt Text tab, and make sure the alt text is clear, descriptive, and concise. Once your header row and alt text are ready, choose OK . A common stumbling block for accessible tables are split cells, where two cells occupy the space of a single cell.
Use a screen reader with the Accessibility Checker - Microsoft …
For example, if you selected Add a description for a missing alt text, the Alt Text pane opens left of the Accessibility Checker pane and you can type an alt text description for the item.
Use a screen reader to insert a picture or image in Word
Add alt text to an image. Add alt text to the images to make your document accessible to all audiences. For more information on alt text, refer to Everything you need to know to write effective alt text. In your Word document, select the picture that you want to add alt text to.
Use a screen reader to select and read text boxes and images in Word
Use Word with your keyboard and a screen reader to select and read images, shapes, and text boxes in Word documents. We have tested it with Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA, but it might work with other screen readers as long as they follow common accessibility standards and techniques.
Improve accessibility with the Accessibility Checker
For example, if the Accessibility Checker reported missing alt text, select Fix this to open the Add alternative text dialog box where you can type the alt text. Address all issues and when you're done, select Check again to ensure you didn't miss anything.