Why is it important to use alternative text for objects in your documents?

Visual content includes pictures, SmartArt graphics, shapes, groups, charts, embedded objects, ink, and videos.

There are four very simple things to consider when adding images to web pages or documents.

  • use images that support the text
  • never use an image instead of text
  • use correct image sizes (on the web it is best to have images around 150kb)
  • use alt text on images

The Microsoft Office Accessibility Checker (opens in a new window) will list any accessibility issues in your document, including lack of alt text on images.

Why add alt text?

Alt text is used to provide an alternative description of the image for those people who are unable to view it. This may include people with visual impairments who use screen readers as well as people using text only browsers. 

Alt text is also useful if the image fails to load properly.

Avoid using text in images as the sole method of conveying important information.

Why should you never use an image instead of text?

When text that is intended to be read is presented as an image, screen readers and other assistive technologies cannot read text that’s contained inside an image. They will instead read the alt text provided.

Best practice for accessibility is to write text as text. Users can often miss out on important information that’s conveyed through an image of text.

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  • Adding alternative text to an object is one way to apply a caption to an object.
  • It allows you to display the text in a language other than the default language-for example, English to French, French to German.
  • It helps a user with a visual impairment who is using a screen reader understand the content of the object.
  • It enables you to provide another explanation of the object, in case the user does not understand what the object is.

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Images can add context, clarity, and meaning to a document; in other words, images can enhance the accessibility of your document.  However, it is essential that you add strong alt text to each image, chart, graph, or other non-text element in your document - otherwise, screen reader users will hear the word "image" but not know what the image is. 

Creating alt text in Microsoft Word

  1. Choose one of the following:
    • Select any image and press the Alt Text button in the Format ribbon tab.
    • Right-click an image and select Edit Alt Text.The Alt Text pane opens on the right side of the document body
  2. Describe the image content and context.
    • Be accurate and equivalent 
      Think: what is the meaning that a sighted user gets from this image, in this context?  Or, what meaning would be lost if this image disappeared from this page? Use those ideas to write your alt text.
    • Be succinct, not redundant. 
      Typically no more than a few words are necessary. Do not provide information that is already in the text surrounding the image.
    • Omit the phrases "image of ..." or "graphic of ..." to describe the image. 
      If the fact that an image is a photograph or illustration, etc. is important, it may be useful to include this in alternative text. Otherwise, screen readers already announce that the item is an image.

Marking an image as "decorative"

Decorative objects add visual interest but aren't informative (for example, stylistic borders). People using screen readers will hear that these are decorative, so they will know they aren't missing any important information.

We recommend that you explain the content and context of an image, even if you initially think it is decorative.  If it truly carries no meaning, consider removing it entirely.

  1. Right-click any visual element.
  2. Select Edit Alt Text. The Alt Text pane opens on the right side of the document body.
  3. Select the Mark as decorative check box. The text entry field will be grayed out.

Alt text resources

  • An Alt Text Decision Tree
    A list of questions to help you decide how to craft your alt text
  • Video (Links to an external site.)Writing Great Alt Text
    A lecture by UMN developer Kim Doberstein (July 2019)
  • WebAIM: Alternative Text
    An authoritative article about alternative text

TDX ID

2999

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Why is alternative text important?

Alt text improves digital accessibility more accessible to people with disabilities. Although just the presence of alt text in the HTML code doesn't ensure that a given image is accessible (because the accuracy and specificity of alt text also matter), it certainly is better than having no alt text at all.

What is the importance of creating alternate text with an image?

Also called alt tags and alt descriptions, alt text is the written copy that appears in place of an image on a webpage if the image fails to load on a user's screen. This text helps screen-reading tools describe images to visually impaired readers and allows search engines to better crawl and rank your website.

What is the purpose of adding alternative text to an image in your document linkedin?

You can add alternative text (alt-text) to the images you share on your feed or embed in articles. This allows members using voice-over screen readers to understand what's in the image (alt-text won't be visible to members not using screen readers).