SharePoint Document Issues

How to Add and Test Image Alt Text in SharePoint Communication Sites

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need to know how to add accessibility descriptions (alt text) to images on SharePoint Communication Sites and verify that they are working correctly.

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating accessible web pages and ensuring image descriptions are readable by assistive technologies.
Observed behavior: Alt text is successfully added but remains hidden from sighted users, requiring specific tools like screen readers or extensions to verify its presence.

Before you start

Ensure you have edit permissions for the SharePoint communication site and consider installing a reputable alt-text viewer extension for your web browser to help test the results.

Solution 1Recommended

Add Alternative Text to Images in SharePoint

Use the built-in image properties panel to add descriptive text intended for screen readers.

Alt text is crucial for web accessibility. It allows visually impaired users using assistive technologies to understand the content of an image. By default, this text is hidden from users who do not use these tools.

Edit the page

Navigate to your SharePoint communication site and click 'Edit' in the top right corner of the page.

Select the image

Click on the Image web part you want to modify to reveal the image toolbar.

Open accessibility settings

Click the pencil icon (Edit web part) to open the property pane on the right side of the screen.

Enter alt text

In the 'Alternative text' or 'Accessibility' box, type a clear and concise description of the image, then republish the page.

Solution 2

Verify Alt Text Using a Browser Extension

Since alt text is visually hidden, use a browser extension to display and verify it without needing a full screen reader application.

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Create Accessible Documents Easily with WPS Office

While SharePoint handles your web intranet needs, managing your actual documents requires a robust office suite. WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that fully supports creating accessible Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files with alt text before uploading them to SharePoint.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and open your text document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
2. Select the image: Right-click the image you want to make accessible and select 'Picture Properties' from the context menu.
3. Add Alt Text: Navigate to the 'Alt Text' tab in the properties pane and enter your descriptive text to ensure document accessibility.

Easily add alt text to images in documents, spreadsheets, and presentationsFully compatible with Microsoft Office file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Lightweight software with a familiar, easy-to-use interfaceFree alternative with robust tools for document preparation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see the alt text I added on my SharePoint page?

Alt text is specifically intended for assistive technologies like screen readers. By design, it remains hidden from standard view so it does not interfere with the page layout for sighted users.

What is the best way to test alt text in Microsoft Edge?

You can test alt text in Microsoft Edge by using a screen reader like Windows Narrator, or by downloading an alt-text viewer extension from the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store.

Does adding alt text improve search within SharePoint?

Yes, alongside improving accessibility for visually impaired users, adding descriptive alt text helps SharePoint's search engine index your images, making them easier to discover.

Document & File Issues