Alt Text for images

[tpatfield]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: intel

Hi guys,

I think this may of been an issue on previous verions of Office too, however the Mac version of Office does not seem to have the capabilities to add Alternative text (Alt text) to images.

On the PC version of Office, you can add alt text by formatting an image, then there is a tab far right called 'web' in which you can add alt text.

I may be simply missing it somewhere on the Mac version?

Any ideas? Alt text is a basic accessibility requirement, so I'm hoping there's a way to add it in Word.

Cheers,

Tim.

 

[CyberTaz]

Sorry, not included in Mac Word - and I'd like to believe that the reason is
that MacBU still respects the product & isn't trying to con anyone into
thinking it's a suitable web design app for anything serious

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[tpatfield]

Ah, ok... It's not for making web pages, hopefully everyone is aware that Word isn't the tool for that!

The problem is when someone with a screen reader tries to read a document with images in, they have no idea what it is. It's ok if you've got a figure description, but in some scenarios that isn't always sufficient.

Working for the council, this is becoming a requirement for sending documents out to visually impaired users... Hopefully something to consider for later versions??

 

[CyberTaz]

You'd be surprised - It seems there is a large part of the world that
expects Word to be the Swiss Army Knife of software

I understand what you're need is, but the best way to get it brought to the
attention of those who make the decisions is to use Help> Send Feedback.
Give a complete description of what it is you'd like to be able to do & why.
That will put it on MS' radar & bolster the requests that are already there.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Phillip Jones, CET]

If your going into web design and create web pages, get DreamWeaver.

Ah, ok... It's not for making web pages, hopefully everyone is aware that Word isn't the tool for that!

The problem is when someone with a screen reader tries to read a document with images in, they have no idea what it is. It's ok if you've got a figure description, but in some scenarios that isn't always sufficient.

Working for the council, this is becoming a requirement for sending documents out to visually impaired users... Hopefully something to consider for later versions??

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[Clive Huggan]

See first line of her/his earlier post, Phillip.
CH
==

 

[Clive Huggan]

Could you explain what your desired use for Alt text for Images is? (I know
the concept; I just don't know the precise context for it in your Word
documents). There may be a work-around -- for example, by activating Hidden
Text -- which I and other people here could elaborate if it's relevant.

Cheers,

Clive Huggan
Canberra, Australia
(My time zone is 5-11 hours different from North America and Europe, so my
follow-on responses to those regions can be delayed)
====================================================

 

[tpatfield]

@ CyberTaz: Thanks, I'll post it up there then.

@ Clive Huggan: Alt text is a requirement for all of our documents going out as they may be used by someone who is visually impaired, of which may use a screen reader. Screen readers then read out the alternative text for images like a description.

We normally convert them to PDF format before they go (for those without Word) but the fact that Alt text is missing in the Word file gets carried across to the PDF file.

We can actually add it with Adobe Acrobat to the PDF... somehow... but there's only two copies floating about here so it's not very practical.

I'm unsure if using hidden text would work the same as Alt text? I appreciate the help so far though guys. It looks like we may just have to stick to using the Windows version of office if it can't be done.

Again, thanks for the help!