How to Add Alt-Text to Images in Documents

Use the links below to choose which resource you'd like to use for help with this task.

How to Write Effective Alt-Text for Images

Follow these best practices to write good alternative text descriptions for your images:

• Describe the image based on the page context. Convey the full meaning of the image.
• Avoid saying "image of" or "picture of". Screen readers automatically announce images as images.
• Be concise.
• Write narratives for complex images like infographics. Put this narrative on the page immediately following the infographic. Include an anchor link at the top of the page to view the text alternative. See an example of an infographic with a text alternative.
• Avoid images of text. If you can't avoid it, copy the text into the alternative description.
• Identify images that don't represent relevant content as decorative.

Use the following website for more tips about writing effective alt-text for your images:

• Website: Everything You Need to Know to Write Effective Alt-Text

How to Add Alt-Text to Images in Documents

• Website: Adding alt-text to images in Microsoft Word, PPT, and Excel
  
• Video: Adding alt-text to images in Word
  
• Google Doc: Adding alt-text to images in your Google documents
  
• Video: Adding alt-text to images in Google Docs
  
• Video: Using Adobe Acrobat to Run an Accessibility Check and Make Updates. Please note that Adobe Acrobat is the pro version of Adobe Reader (so, not free for most users).