Adding Alt Text to an Image

Using the Accessibility Tools to Fix Your PDF

The first section of an accessibility report, the Detailed Report, lists any structural errors that were found.  Each error that is found contains a clickable link that will highlight the problem content within the PDF.  As demonstrated in the screenshot below, clicking on an error message that reads "No alternate text for Figure" will highlight the figure within the PDF that does not contain alternate text.

Clicking an error message will highlight the faulty content. Screenshot of Accessibility report in Acrobat. Using it to locate faulty content in a PDF.

Adding Alternative Text to an Image

To add alternative text to an image:

  1. Click on the TouchUp Reading Order tool.  A series of gray numbered item blocks will highlight each component of the document.
  2. Navigate to the image you need to repair and right-click (or ctrl-click for Mac users) on the image, then choose Edit Alternative Text... from the context menu.  An Alternative Text box appears.
  3. Type in the alternative text for the image, then click OK.

Video Tutorial - How to Add Alternative Text to Your Images (3:40)

Credits

  • This training has been funded in part by the EnACT (Ensuring Access through Collaboration and Technology) grant. 
  • Written and developed by Sacramento State Online Learning professionals, Monica Range and Cryssel Vera and technical crew, Ivan Vajar, Ken Young, and Jennifer Wicks with guidance from the CSU Professional Development Work Group.

Support

If you have difficulty accessing any material on this site or need an alternate format, or you just have questions and want to give feedback, contact the Accessible Technology Initiative.

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