How can I make sure my PDF's reading order is correct after auto-tagging?

After you auto-tag, go to 'All tools' > 'Prepare for accessibility'. Select the 'Reading Order tool'. Review the numbered boxes on your page. These numbers show the order a screen reader will follow. If the order is wrong, drag and drop the boxes to arrange them correctly.

What is the difference between PDF/UA and WCAG when making a PDF accessible?

Feature PDF/UA WCAG. Focus Specific to PDF documents General web content (technology-agnostic) Requirement Ensures PDF technical structure is accessible Ensures content is perceivable, operable, understandable, robust Use Often needed for highly regulated PDF work Broad standard for digital accessibility

Archive Accessible Record in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Prepare an accessible version of the [audit report PDF] with tags and a logical reading order,…+

Prepare an accessible version of the [audit report PDF] with tags and a logical reading order, run the accessibility checker, and save the tagged file for the [board secretary] to archive.

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

BImprove — “do it better”Before handing it to the [board secretary], make archiving frictionless — ensure headings and…+

Before handing it to the [board secretary], make archiving frictionless — ensure headings and tables are correctly tagged, add alternative text for all graphics (signature block, charts), run and fix all accessibility checker issues, and include a short accessibility verification note on the cover [page].

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.

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.

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.

Who does this

3 roles

Accessibility SpecialistInstructional DesignerDocument Remediator

FAQ

about this task

PDF accessibility means that your PDF can be used by everyone, including people who use screen readers or other assistive technologies. It matters because it helps you follow laws and makes sure your information reaches the widest possible audience. An accessible PDF has a clear structure and descriptions for images.

After you auto-tag, go to 'All tools' > 'Prepare for accessibility'.
Select the 'Reading Order tool'.
Review the numbered boxes on your page. These numbers show the order a screen reader will follow.
If the order is wrong, drag and drop the boxes to arrange them correctly.

Yes, you can use Acrobat's 'Automatically tag PDF' feature, which works for scanned documents too. This tool, powered by Sensei AI, will try to identify headings, tables, and paragraphs. However, for scanned PDFs, you will likely need to spend more time manually checking and fixing the reading order and adding alt text for images, as automation might not be perfect with older scans.

Feature	PDF/UA	WCAG
Focus	Specific to PDF documents	General web content (technology-agnostic)
Requirement	Ensures PDF technical structure is accessible	Ensures content is perceivable, operable, understandable, robust
Use	Often needed for highly regulated PDF work	Broad standard for digital accessibility

It is much better to fix accessibility in the original document (like a Word or InDesign file) because these programs have tools to add proper headings, alt text, and list structures. When you export an accessible source file to PDF, many of these accessibility features are carried over. This saves a lot of time compared to fixing a PDF that was not made accessibly from the start, which can be very difficult and slow.

Archive Accessible Record

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Other guides