What is an Alternative text?
Alternative text is commonly referred to as "Alt Text," "at attributes," "alt descriptions," or "alt tags." It is the first principle to providing accessibility support. Alternative text describes an image that allows students, staff, and faculty who are blind or have low vision to get the same information as students, staff, and faculty who can see the image. However, writing alt text is more of an art than a science. There is no straightforward formula for how to write it. This guide will identify key concepts to keep in mind and provide prompt writing alt. text.
Describe all visual objects with an Alternative Text (Alt Text).
- Explain “why” the image relates to the content. The Alt Text is read aloud by screen reading software
- Images can be given appropriate alternative text in most digital content or websites. Alternative Text will remain intact when exported to HTML or PDF.
Remember to add Alternative Text (Alt. Text) to the following:
- Shapes
- Pictures
- Charts
- Diagrams
- SmartArt
- Clip Art
- Tables
- Screenshots
- All Other Objects
1. Create a Word document.
2. Add the photo you want to include.
3. Right click on the photo and select "Edit Alt Text..."
4. Add your description of the photo.
Make it simple and easy for someone to understand.
5. Make sure the description tells message needed.
Sometimes, Word will automatically include a description.
- Double-check the autogenerated alternative text and confirm the message you want to convey is included in the description.
This gives people a better understanding of what the photo shows and allows them to participate in the document.
Additional Resources
- How to Video For Adding Alt. Text for Images in Word (Desktop Mac) (00:00:56)
- View the following Video for why it is important to add alt. text to the image (00:02:20)
- Make your Word documents accessible to people with disabilities - Microsoft Support Article
- Microsoft Word Video Accessibility Training - Microsoft Support