How To Add Alt Text In Excel

You can create alternative text (Alt Text) for shapes, pictures, charts, SmartArt graphics, or other objects in your Role document. Alt Text helps people with visual impairments sympathize pictures and other graphical content. When someone uses a screen reader to view documents, they will hear Alt Text; without Alt Text, they will only know they've reached a picture without knowing what the flick shows.

You tin apply the procedures in this article to help you learn how to add culling text to a shape, picture, chart, SmartArt graphic, or other object.

To learn how to write alternative text, see Everything you need to know to write constructive Alt Text.

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Excel for Microsoft 365, Outlook for Microsoft 365, PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, and Word for Microsoft 365
Excel 2019, Outlook 2019, PowerPoint 2019, and Word 2019
Excel 2016/2013, Outlook 2016/2013, PowerPoint 2016/2013, and Discussion 2016/2013
Excel 2010, Outlook 2010, PowerPoint 2010, and Word 2010

Excel for Microsoft 365, Outlook for Microsoft 365, PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, and Word for Microsoft 365

Add alt text

Do one of the following:
- Correct-click the object and select Edit Alt Text.
- Select the object. Select Format > Alt Text.
Note:To add alt text to the entire SmartArt graphic or chart, click the border of the SmartArt graphic or nautical chart, and not an private shape or piece.
In the Alt Text pane, type 1-2 sentences in the text box to describe the object and its context to someone who cannot come across it.

Marker visuals as decorative

If your visuals are purely decorative and add visual interest but aren't informative, you can marker them every bit such without needing to write any alt text. Examples of objects that should be marked as decorative are stylistic borders. People using screen readers will hear that these objects are decorative so they know they aren't missing any important information. You lot can marking your visuals as decorative in Excel, PowerPoint, and Give-and-take.

To open the Alt Text pane, do one of the following:
- Correct-click an image, and so select Edit Alt Text.
- Select an image, select Format > Alt Text.
Select the Decorative check box. The text entry field becomes grayed out.

Toggle Automatic Alt Text on and off

If you don't desire automatically generated alt text to exist added to inserted pictures, you tin turn off the automatic alt text choice. If you alter your mind after, you can only as easily turn it dorsum on.

Select File > Options > Ease of Access.
In the Automatic Alt Text section, select or unselect the Automatically generate alt text for me selection, and so select OK.

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Excel 2019, Outlook 2019, PowerPoint 2019, and Word 2019

Add together alt text

Do one of the following:
- Right-click the object and select Edit Alt Text.
- Select the object. Select Format > Alt Text.
Note:To add alt text to the entire SmartArt graphic or chart, click the border of the SmartArt graphic or chart, and not an individual shape or piece.
In the Alt Text pane, type ane-2 sentences in the text box to describe the object and its context to someone who cannot see information technology.

Tip:Save time and add together an alt text generated by the system to the object. In the Alt Text pane, select Generate a description for me. In the Make Office work smarter for you lot dialog, select Plough on. Then edit the automatic alt text to better adjust the content.

Marking visuals as decorative

If your visuals are purely decorative and add together visual involvement simply aren't informative, y'all can mark them as such without needing to write whatever alt text. Examples of objects that should be marked as decorative are stylistic borders. People using screen readers will hear that these objects are decorative so they know they aren't missing any important information.

To open the Alt Text pane, do ane of the following:
- Correct-click an image, and so select Edit Alt Text.
- Select an prototype, select Format > Alt Text.
Select the Decorative check box. The text entry field becomes grayed out.

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Excel 2016/2013, Outlook 2016/2013, PowerPoint 2016/2013, and Word 2016/2013

Practise i of the following:
- For a shape, flick, chart, SmartArt graphic, or other object, correct-click the object, click Format Object, Format Picture, Format Nautical chart Expanse, or other, and then click Alt Text.
  
  Note:The pane where you click Alt Text is dynamic and the championship and lists alter depending on the object you click.
  
  To add together alt text to the unabridged SmartArt graphic or chart, click the border of theSmartArt graphic or chart, and not an individual shape or piece.
- For an Excel PivotTable, right-click it, indicate to PivotTable Options, and so click Alt Text.
In the Clarification box, enter an explanation of the shape, film, chart, PivotTable, SmartArt graphic, or other object. This box should always be filled in.

Tip:If you don't want Alt text, either remove the words from the alt text Title and Description boxes, or don't fill them in.
If you want, in the Title box, enter a brief summary. This box should only be filled in if yous are entering a detailed or long explanation in the Clarification box.

Note:Unless you accept a complex chart, you lot volition usually want to enter text in just the Clarification box. When you have complex content to describe, then filling in the Championship field is useful so reading the full description is non necessary unless desired.

Notes:

If yous oftentimes add alternative text to shapes, pictures, charts, SmartArt graphics, or other objects, y'all tin add the Alt Text command to the Quick Access Toolbar to create a shortcut to it.
To use the Alt Text command on the Quick Access Toolbar, select the shape, picture, chart, SmartArt graphic, or other object, click the toolbar button, and so add your alternative text.

In the upper-left corner to a higher place the ribbon, click Customize Quick Access Toolbar .
Click More Commands > Choose commands from > Commands Not in the Ribbon.
Click Alt Text > Add.

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Excel 2010, Outlook 2010, PowerPoint 2010, and Discussion 2010

Do one of the post-obit:
- For a shape, moving picture, chart, SmartArt graphic object, right-click information technology, click Format object, and so click the Alt Text pane.
  
  To add alt text to the entire SmartArt graphic or chart, click the edge of the SmartArt graphic or chart, and non an individual shape or piece.
- For an Excel PivotTable, right-click it, point to PivotTable Options, and then click Alt Text.
In the Description box, enter an caption of the shape, motion picture, chart, PivotTable, SmartArt graphic, or other object. This box should always be filled in.
If yous desire, in the Title box, enter a brief summary. This box should merely be filled in if you are entering a detailed or long explanation in the Description box.

Note:Unless yous take a complex nautical chart, y'all will usually want to enter text in simply the Clarification box. When you have complex content to describe, then filling in the Championship field is useful and so reading the full description is not necessary unless desired.

Notes:

If you frequently add alternative text to shapes, pictures, charts, SmartArt graphics, or other objects, yous tin add the Alt Text command to the Quick Access Toolbar to create a shortcut to it.
To use the Alt Text command on the Quick Access Toolbar, select the shape, flick, chart, SmartArt graphic, or other object, click the toolbar button, and and then add your alternative text.

In the upper-left corner above the ribbon, click Customize Quick Access Toolbar .
Click More Commands > Choose commands from > Commands Not in the Ribbon.
Click Alt Text > Add together.

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In this topic

Excel for Office 365, Outlook for Office 365, PowerPoint for Office 365, and Word for Role 365 for Mac
Excel 2019, Outlook 2019, PowerPoint 2019, and Word 2019 for Mac
Excel 2016 for Mac

Excel for Microsoft 365, Outlook for Microsoft 365, PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, and Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac

Add alt text in Excel for Microsoft 365, PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, and Give-and-take for Microsoft 365 for Mac

Do 1 of the post-obit:
- Control-click the object and select Edit Alt Text.... The Alt Text pane opens.
- Select an object. In the ribbon, select the object'due south Format tab, and then select Alt Text.
Note:To add together alt text to the entire SmartArt graphic or chart, click the border of the SmartArt graphic or nautical chart, and non an individual shape or slice.
In the Alt Text pane, type 1-2 sentences in the text box to describe the object and its context to someone who cannot see it.

Add together alt text in Outlook for Microsoft 365 for Mac

Control-click the object and select Edit Alt Text.... The Alt Text pane opens.

Note:To add together alt text to the entire SmartArt graphic or chart, click the border of the SmartArt graphic or chart, and non an individual shape or piece.
In the Alt Text pane, type 1-2 sentences in the text box to describe the object and its context to someone who cannot see information technology.

Add alt text to an Excel PivotTable

Control-click a PivotTable, and select PivotTable Options....
In the PivotTable Options... dialog, select Alt Text.
In the Alt Text tab, type a title for the PivotTable in the Title text box.
In the Description text box, type 1-2 sentences to describe the table and its context to someone who cannot see it. Once you're done, select OK.

Alt text dialog for an Excel PivotTable.

Mark visuals as decorative

If your visuals are purely decorative and add visual interest just aren't informative, y'all tin can mark them as such without needing to write whatever alt text. Examples of objects that should be marked equally decorative are stylistic borders. People using screen readers will hear that these objects are decorative and so they know they aren't missing any important information. You can mark your visuals as decorative in Excel, PowerPoint, and Give-and-take.

To open the Alt Text pane, do one of the following:
- Right-click an prototype, and and so select Edit Alt Text.
- Select an image, select Format > Alt Text.
Select the Decorative check box. The text entry field becomes grayed out.

Toggle Automated Alt Text on and off

If you don't want automatically generated alt text to exist added to inserted pictures, y'all can turn off the automatic alt text option in PowerPoint and Word. If yous change your mind later, you tin can but equally easily turn it back on.

Press Command+, (Comma). The preferences window opens.
Select Full general.
In the Automatic Alt Text section, select or unselect the Automatically generate alt text for me option.

Go to top

Excel 2019, Outlook 2019, PowerPoint 2019, and Give-and-take 2019 for Mac

Add alt text

Do one of the following:
- Command-click the object and select Edit Alt Text.... The Alt Text pane opens.
- Select an object. In the ribbon, select the object's Format tab, and and then select Alt Text.
Note:To add alt text to the entire SmartArt graphic or nautical chart, click the edge of the SmartArt graphic or chart, and not an individual shape or piece.
In the Alt Text pane, type ane-2 sentences in the text box to describe the object and its context to someone who cannot see it.

Tip:Save fourth dimension and add together an alt text generated by the system to the object. In the Alt Text pane, select Generate a description for me. In the Use Intelligent Services? dialog, select Plow on.

Add alt text to an Excel PivotTable

Command-click a PivotTable, and select PivotTable Options....
In the PivotTable Options... dialog, select Alt Text.
In the Alt Text tab, blazon a championship for the PivotTable in the Championship text box.
In the Description text box, type i-2 sentences to depict the table and its context to someone who cannot run across it. In one case you're done, select OK.

Mark visuals as decorative

If your visuals are purely decorative and add visual interest but aren't informative, you tin mark them equally such without needing to write any alt text. Examples of objects that should be marked as decorative are stylistic borders. People using screen readers will hear that these objects are decorative so they know they aren't missing any important information. You lot can mark your visuals as decorative in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

To open the Alt Text pane, exercise one of the post-obit:
- Right-click an image, and then select Edit Alt Text.
- Select an epitome, select Format > Alt Text.
Select the Decorative check box. The text entry field becomes grayed out.

Get to tiptop

Excel 2016, Outlook 2016, PowerPoint 2016, and Word 2016 for Mac

Do 1 of the following:
- For a shape, pic, nautical chart, SmartArt graphic, or other object, right-click the object, click Format Object, Format Movie, Format Chart Area, or other, and and so click Alt Text.
  
  Annotation:The pane where you click Alt Text is dynamic and the title and lists change depending on the object you click.
  
  To add together alt text to the entire SmartArt graphic or chart, click the border of theSmartArt graphic or chart, and not an private shape or piece.
- For an Excel PivotTable, right-click information technology, point to PivotTable Options, and so click Alt Text.
In the Description box, enter an explanation of the shape, motion picture, chart, PivotTable, SmartArt graphic, or other object. This box should always be filled in.

Tip:If you don't want Alt text, either remove the words from the alt text Championship and Description boxes, or don't fill them in.
If y'all want, in the Title box, enter a cursory summary. This box should merely be filled in if y'all are entering a detailed or long explanation in the Description box.

Note:Unless you have a complex chart, you will usually desire to enter text in just the Description box. When you have complex content to draw, then filling in the Title field is useful so reading the full description is not necessary unless desired.

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Run into also

Everything you need to know to write constructive Alt Text

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