How do I add alt text to images in my PDF?

Run the Accessibility Checker in Acrobat Pro. The checker will flag images that need alt text. Right-click on the flagged image and choose 'Add Alt Text'. Type a clear, short description of the image's content. This helps screen readers describe the image to users.

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

Standard Focus Scope. PDF/UA Specific to PDF documents Ensures technical accessibility features within a PDF file. WCAG General web content and technology Provides broad guidelines for making all digital content accessible, regardless of format.

Ensure Alternate Formats in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Create an accessible PDF version of the Grade [grade=9] curriculum packet, run an accessibility…+

Create an accessible PDF version of the Grade [grade=9] curriculum packet, run an accessibility check, and deliver files for the special education team by [deadline=Thursday].

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

BImprove — “do it better”Ensure usability: add descriptive alt text for images, create a tagged reading order, verify…+

Ensure usability: add descriptive alt text for images, create a tagged reading order, verify headings and table structures, and include an accessibility note listing remaining issues and remediation steps for the special education coordinator.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF document you want to check for accessibility.
2
Click the Tools tab at the top of the Acrobat window.
3
Scroll through the list and select Accessibility to add the Accessibility tools to your workspace if they are not already visible.
Best practiceIf you do not see the Accessibility tools, you may need to add them from the Tools pane as they are not shown by default.
4
In the Accessibility tools pane, click Full Check.
5
In the Accessibility Checker Options dialog, review the settings and click Start Checking.
Best practiceFor a thorough check, ensure all checkboxes are selected before starting the check.
6
Review the results displayed in the Accessibility Checker panel on the left side of the screen.

In the appWith the API

You can right-click in the Navigation Pane to show the Accessibility tags panel for more detailed tag inspection.

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

Glossary

words on this page

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.

Alt textA short description for images so people who cannot see them know what they show.ExampleA person using a screen reader hears 'a red bicycle leaning against a brick wall' when they encounter the image.

TagsHidden labels in a PDF that tell screen readers what each part of the document is (like a heading or a paragraph).ExampleScreen readers use hidden tags to tell users whether a part of the document is a list item or a table.

Who does this

3 roles

Accessibility SpecialistInstructional DesignerDocument Remediator

FAQ

about this task

Run the Accessibility Checker in Acrobat Pro.
The checker will flag images that need alt text.
Right-click on the flagged image and choose 'Add Alt Text'.
Type a clear, short description of the image's content.
This helps screen readers describe the image to users.

Tagging is the most important step for PDF accessibility because tags provide the hidden structure of the document. Without tags, screen readers cannot understand the order of content, headings, lists, or tables. This means a user relying on a screen reader might get a jumbled mess of words instead of a clear document. Proper tagging ensures the content is presented logically to all users.

Yes, you can. Acrobat's 'Automatically tag PDF' feature works for both native and scanned PDFs. It uses smart technology to identify text, headings, and other elements even from images of text. After auto-tagging, you will still need to manually check and fix the reading order and add alt text for any images, as automation is not perfect for complex scanned documents.

Standard	Focus	Scope
PDF/UA	Specific to PDF documents	Ensures technical accessibility features within a PDF file.
WCAG	General web content and technology	Provides broad guidelines for making all digital content accessible, regardless of format.

It is much better to fix accessibility issues in the original document, such as a Microsoft Word file, before converting it to PDF. When you create an accessible source document, the exported PDF will often retain those accessibility features, like proper headings and alt text. Remediating an existing, untagged PDF is very time-consuming and often more difficult than doing it right from the start in the source application.

Ensure Alternate Formats

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Other guides