Fix Excel Accessibility Checker Performance Issues with Many Images
Question details
The user is experiencing significant slowdowns in Excel workbooks that contain over 1,000 images due to the Accessibility Checker continuously analyzing alternative text.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing a large Excel workbook heavily populated with images while accessibility checking features are enabled in the background.
- Observed behavior
- The workbook becomes unresponsive or extremely slow because Excel's Accessibility Checker constantly processes and flags images missing alternative text.
Ensure you save a backup copy of your workbook before running any bulk update scripts or compressing all images in the file.
Disable the Background Accessibility Checker
Turn off the feature that keeps the Accessibility Checker running while you work to immediately restore spreadsheet performance.
By default, newer versions of Excel continuously monitor your document for accessibility issues in the background. Disabling this background check stops Excel from aggressively analyzing thousands of images, freeing up system resources.
Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the Excel ribbon, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
In the Excel Options dialog box, click on 'Ease of Access' (or 'Accessibility' in some newer versions) on the left-hand panel.
Locate the checkbox that says 'Keep accessibility checker running while I work' and uncheck it.
Click 'OK' to save your changes, then restart Microsoft Excel and reopen your workbook to test the performance.
Compress Workbook Images
Optimize the workbook's overall size and complexity by compressing embedded images, which reduces the rendering load on Excel.
Use VBA to Bulk Mark Images as Decorative
Run a VBA script to quickly mark all non-essential images as decorative, preventing the Accessibility Checker from analyzing them.
Experience Faster Spreadsheet Performance with WPS Office
If Microsoft Excel continues to struggle with heavy workbooks, try WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight alternative designed for smooth performance, even with thousands of embedded images, offering highly compatible spreadsheet processing without overly aggressive background task interruptions.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office Free from the official website and complete the quick installation.
- 2. Open Your Heavy Workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your image-heavy .xlsx file directly.
- 3. Edit Without Interruptions: Enjoy smooth scrolling and editing, as WPS Spreadsheet handles large files efficiently without background accessibility freezes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Accessibility Checker analyze hidden images in my workbook?
Yes, the accessibility checker typically analyzes hidden objects because they are still part of the document's structure. You may need to remove them entirely or mark them as decorative to improve processing performance.
Can I disable alternative text analysis for just one specific sheet?
No, the background accessibility checker is managed as an application-wide or workbook-wide setting. You cannot disable it for just a single sheet while keeping it active on others.
Why doesn't Excel have a built-in bulk 'mark as decorative' button?
Accessibility guidelines require contextual human judgment for each image to ensure important visual data is not hidden from screen readers. Because of this, Excel does not provide a native bulk action, though VBA or Office Scripts can be used to automate the process if you are certain the images are purely aesthetic.
Will marking images as decorative affect how they print or display on screen?
No, marking an image as decorative only tells assistive technologies like screen readers to ignore it. It does not alter the visual appearance, resolution, or printing behavior of the image in your spreadsheet.
