How do I add alt text to images in an accessible PDF?

After auto-tagging, open the 'Reading Order' tool or the 'Content' and 'Tags' panels. Find the image you want to describe. Add a short, clear description of the image in the 'Alt Text' field. This description will be read by screen readers, helping users understand the image's purpose.

Tag For Screen Readers in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Create an accessible methods document: convert the technical methods PDF into a tagged,…+

Create an accessible methods document: convert the technical methods PDF into a tagged, accessible version and verify basic accessibility checks so reviewers using screen readers can navigate procedures.

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

BImprove — “do it better”Before I publish the accessible methods document, reduce rework from reviewers with assistive…+

Before I publish the accessible methods document, reduce rework from reviewers with assistive tech: add semantic tags to headings and tables, include descriptive alt text for every figure, run the accessibility checker and provide a short guide to keyboard navigation for reviewers.

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

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.

Screen ReaderA tool that reads text and image descriptions out loud for people who cannot see them.ExampleA screen reader announced the menu options and read the text of the article aloud.

Alt TextA short description of an image or media for people who can't see it.

Who does this

3 roles

Accessibility SpecialistInstructional DesignerDocument Remediator

FAQ

about this task

PDF accessibility means making a PDF usable by everyone, including people who use screen readers. It matters because screen readers need special information, like tags and alt text, to understand the document's structure and content. Without this, a screen reader cannot properly explain the document to its user, making it hard or impossible for them to get the information.

After auto-tagging, open the 'Reading Order' tool or the 'Content' and 'Tags' panels.
Find the image you want to describe.
Add a short, clear description of the image in the 'Alt Text' field.
This description will be read by screen readers, helping users understand the image's purpose.

It is always best to fix the original source document, like a Word file, before creating the PDF. When you make an accessible Word document, the PDF created from it will often already have good tags and structure. Fixing an old, untagged PDF in Acrobat can take a lot of time and effort because you have to add all the tags and fix the reading order manually. Starting with an accessible source saves much more time in the long run.

Reading order tells a screen reader the correct sequence to read the content on a page. Even if a PDF has tags, the order might be wrong, especially with complex layouts or columns. If the reading order is incorrect, a screen reader might jump around the page, making the content confusing or impossible to understand for the user. Checking and fixing this ensures a logical flow of information.

Yes, Acrobat's auto-tagging feature, powered by Sensei, can tag both native and scanned PDFs. It can identify headings, tables, lists, and paragraphs in scanned documents and add language IDs. However, you will still need to manually check and correct the tags and reading order afterwards, as automation is not perfect for scanned content.

Tag For Screen Readers

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Other guides