Create an Accessible Word Document

To add or edit alt text, you first need to determine which type of image you are dealing with. We can categorize images into two primary types, functional and decorative:

• Functional Images
  • Contains important information for the reader or provides a function (e.g., a link)
  • Requires alt text
• Decorative Images
  • Primarily used for layout or aesthetic purposes only
  • Contain no important information
  • Does not require alt text but does require you to "Mark as decorative" (see below)

Images added to Word are automatically given alt text. To edit or add alt text within Word:

1. Right-click or control-click on an image
2. Select View Alt Text
3. From the Alt Text pane, edit or approve alt text, or Mark as decorative

When placing an image in a Word document you must ensure that it is formatted inline with text. This helps to ensure that screen readers recognize the image as a part of the document. To ensure an image is inline with text:

1. Right-click or control-click on the image
2. Select Wrap Text
3. Select In Line with Text

Go to your workbook and complete Step 5: Alt text.