Fix JAWS Not Reading Actual Text in PDF Table Cells
Question details
The user needs a solution for the JAWS screen reader failing to announce the Actual Text of tagged table cells in a PDF document.
- Product
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Navigating a tagged PDF document containing tables with Actual Text using the JAWS screen reader.
- Observed behavior
- JAWS ignores the Actual Text in table cells containing an em dash and reads them as blank, whereas NVDA reads the same text correctly.
Ensure you are running the latest versions of your PDF editor and the JAWS screen reader, as accessibility bugs and tag parsing issues are frequently patched in newer software releases.
Use a Graphic with Alternative Text as a Workaround
Bypass the JAWS text recognition bug by placing a small graphic inside the affected table cell and assigning alternative text to it.
Because JAWS sometimes struggles to read Actual Text applied directly to table cells containing specific characters (like em dashes), substituting the text tag with an image tag is a proven workaround. The screen reader will successfully parse the alternative text of the graphic.
Launch your PDF document in your preferred PDF editing software that supports accessibility tagging.
Navigate to the problematic table cell that JAWS currently reads as blank.
Insert a small, unobtrusive graphic (such as a transparent or minimal image) directly into the table cell.
Right-click the newly inserted graphic, open its properties or accessibility tags menu, and add your desired descriptive text to the Alternative Text field.
Force Refresh the Document Tags by Reopening
Changes to PDF accessibility tags may not be immediately recognized by screen readers until the file is completely saved and reloaded.
Report the Compatibility Issue to the Developer
Since this is a known parsing limitation with JAWS reading Acrobat tags, reporting the bug to the software developer is recommended.
Edit and Format PDF Documents Easily with WPS Office
While advanced screen reader tagging requires specialized accessibility tools, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible PDF editor for managing your documents, adjusting text, and modifying tables seamlessly.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF file using the built-in WPS PDF tool.
- 3. Edit the document: Navigate to the 'Edit' tab to seamlessly modify text, insert graphics, or adjust layout elements.
- 4. Save your work: Click 'Save' to securely preserve your document formatting and modifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does NVDA read PDF Actual Text while JAWS does not?
NVDA and JAWS use different internal methods and APIs to parse PDF accessibility tags. This specific issue is a known compatibility limitation within the JAWS screen reader when processing tagged table cells that contain specific characters like an em dash.
Does adding Alternative Text immediately update for screen readers?
Not always. It is a highly recommended best practice to save the file, close the application completely, and reopen the PDF document to force the screen reader to recognize newly applied Alternative Text or Actual Text.
What is the difference between Alternative Text and Actual Text in PDFs?
Alternative Text provides a spoken description for non-text elements like images or charts. Actual Text is used to replace the spoken content of a tag entirely, which is often necessary for symbols, abbreviations, or poorly formatted text elements.
