How to Add Alt. Text to Images, Shapes, and Icons
Right-click the Image, Shape, or Icon
![The menu from right-clicking the image.](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/004/561/753/original/a6a5928f-c212-40dd-af19-8c9eff6f4525.png)
Select “Edit Alt. Text…”
!["Edit Alt Text" button from the drop-down menu.](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/004/561/755/original/800f45ae-eb92-4926-9677-6e92bb771195.png)
Explain What the Image, Shape, or Icon is
![Alt. text box with the words “The SNHU logo” entered into the text box](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/004/561/757/original/8df8c58e-5517-4b6d-990a-009e747d9a5c.png)
In this example, you could say, “The SNHU logo.” If the image shape or icon is only "decorative," then put a check mark in the box "Mark as decorative" to let the screen reader and user know that image is not important content.
How to Add Alt. Text to Graphs and Tables
Select the Entire Graph
![Excel with a graph selected.](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/004/575/539/original/34b2b5de-35e3-4feb-b444-a10ccfcf50ae.png)
Right-click on the Graph
![Menu from right-clicking on the graph.](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/004/575/541/original/cb8a395b-a701-4f8a-b409-722da583686f.png)
Select “Edit Alt. Text …”
![The "Edit Alt Text…" button from the drop-down from right-clicking.](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/004/575/543/original/1c4bc5b1-b866-406f-8d83-699ec7354a54.png)
Explain What the Graph Shows in the Description Box
![The Alt Text description box with a short explanation entered in.](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/004/575/545/original/a2102cdb-aca1-4418-9ec7-877159127ace.png)
Include information to understand the content. For this example, “The time it takes during the study for the trial to be completed. As the trials increase, also does time.”
Additional Resources
- How to Video for Making Graphs Accessible for Everyone (00:04:12)
- Video for why it is important to add alt. text to image (00:02:20)
- Make your Excel documents accessible to people with disabilities - Microsoft Support
- Microsoft Excel Video Accessibility Training - Microsoft Support
- SNHU Accessibility and Assistive Technology Resources