What is the difference between PDF/UA and WCAG for PDF accessibility?

PDF/UA is a specific standard for PDF documents, making sure they are accessible. WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is a broader set of rules for all web content, not just PDFs. Often, regulated work needs to meet both standards for full accessibility.

How can I make sure my PDF's reading order is correct?

Go to 'All tools' > 'Prepare for accessibility'. Select 'Reading Order tool'. Visually check the numbered boxes to ensure text flows logically. Drag and drop elements if needed to change their order.

Why is it better to fix accessibility problems in the source document, like Microsoft Word?

It is much better to fix accessibility issues in the original document, like a Word file, before you save it as a PDF. If you fix the source, all new PDFs you make from that source will already be accessible. This saves a lot of time and effort compared to fixing an untagged PDF after it's already created, which can be very time-consuming.

What does 'cloud-based auto-tagging' mean for PDF accessibility?

Cloud-based auto-tagging means that Adobe's powerful Sensei AI technology, running on the internet (in the cloud), automatically adds tags to your PDF. It can identify headings, tables, lists, and paragraphs. This works for both native PDFs (made from digital files) and scanned PDFs (images of documents).

If my PDF is a scanned document, can I still make it accessible?

Yes, even scanned PDFs can be made accessible. Adobe's auto-tagging feature uses AI to recognize text and structure in scanned documents. It will add tags for headings, paragraphs, and other elements, which is the first step to making your scanned PDF usable by screen readers.

Add or repair alternative text for images in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Add or repair alternative text for these images: [list or upload]…+

Add or repair alternative text for these images in my PDF: [list or upload the images or PDF].

when the reply comes backWould you like tips for writing good alternative text?

BImprove — “do it better”Review my alt text and suggest clearer or more helpful descriptions for...…+

Review my alternative text and suggest clearer or more helpful descriptions for these images: [list or upload].

when the reply comes backNeed help checking if your PDF is fully accessible?

CDecide — “help me choose”Here are two alt text options for each image. Which is best for...…+

Here are two alternative text options for each image. Which is best for accessibility and why? [list images and options].

when the reply comes backWant to see examples of strong image descriptions?

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open your PDF document in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
2
Select the Tools tab at the top of the window.
3
In the Tools pane, locate and open Accessibility.
Best practiceIf Accessibility is not visible, add it by searching for 'Accessibility' in the Tools tab and clicking 'Add'.
4
Click Add Tags to Document or Fix Text and Readability Issues in the Accessibility tools, then locate the option to add alternative text for images.
NoteThis tool will walk you through each image or figure in the document.
5
For each image or figure, enter a concise, descriptive alternative text in the provided field.
Best practiceWrite alt text that conveys the essential information or function of the image for users who cannot see it.
6
If an image is decorative and conveys no meaningful information, check the option to mark it as decorative (if available).
Best practiceMarking images as decorative helps screen readers skip non-essential visuals, improving accessibility.
7
Click the button to save your changes or proceed to the next image until all images have alt text or are marked as decorative.
8
Save the PDF to retain your changes.

In the appWith the API

You can quickly review or update all image alt text in one session using the Set Alternate Text tool in the Accessibility pane.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

Alternative TextA short written description of an image for people who cannot see it.ExampleThe alternative text for the graph describes its key trends for visually impaired users.

PDFA common file type used to share documents that look the same everywhere.ExampleShe saved the brochure as a PDF so everyone would see the exact same layout and fonts.

AccessibilityMaking sure everyone, including people with disabilities, can use something.ExampleThe website was designed with Accessibility in mind, so screen readers can easily navigate it.

The real tasks

the one, listed here

Want to make all my public scholarship reliably accessible without last-minute fixes

FAQ

about this task

In Adobe Acrobat, you can right-click on an image and select 'Edit Alternative Text' to add a short description. This helps people who use screen readers understand what the image shows.

Alternative text lets people who cannot see images, like those using screen readers, know what the image is about. It makes documents more accessible and fair for everyone.

Good alternative text is short, clear, and explains the main idea of the image. It should help someone understand the image without seeing it.

Alternative text is hidden and read by screen readers, while captions are visible to everyone. Both help, but alternative text is needed for accessibility.

Yes, you can open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat, find images with bad or missing alternative text, and update them so everyone can understand the images.

Add or repair alternative text for images

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Other guides