How to Fix JAWS Reading PDF Form Tooltips in the Wrong Language
Question details
The user needs to correct the language read by the JAWS screen reader for PDF form combo-box tooltips.
- Product
- PDF Reader
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Navigating an accessible PDF form using the Tab key with the JAWS screen reader.
- Observed behavior
- JAWS reads the combo-box tooltips in English instead of the correct form language, despite the document being in another language.
Verify that your JAWS screen reader is updated to the latest version and ensure that the appropriate text-to-speech language pack is installed on your operating system.
Adjust Document and Tag Language Settings in PDF Editor
Ensure all document, field, and accessibility tag language properties are explicitly set to the target language to guide the screen reader correctly.
Screen readers like JAWS process language metadata differently depending on navigation methods. Navigating with the Tab key isolates interactive fields, prompting JAWS to rely heavily on tooltip and tag-level metadata. Setting the language explicitly ensures consistent behavior across all navigation modes.
Go to File > Properties, navigate to the Advanced tab, and set the 'Language' dropdown to your desired target language (e.g., French).
Enter the form editing mode, right-click the specific combo-box or text field, select Properties, and verify that the Tooltip text is written in the correct language.
Open the Accessibility Tags panel, right-click the root tag or the specific form field tag, click Properties, and select the correct language from the Language attribute dropdown.
Configure the Language in the Source Application
Fix the language attributes before exporting the document to PDF to prevent tooltip language mismatches from the start.
Use WPS Office to Edit PDF Forms and Metadata
WPS Office provides intuitive tools to create, edit, and manage PDF forms effortlessly. Ensure your document text and interactive tooltips are structured perfectly for accessibility readers.
- 1. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF file containing the form you want to modify.
- 2. Navigate to Form Tools: Click on the Form tab on the top ribbon to access interactive field editing features.
- 3. Edit Tooltips: Double-click the desired form field to open its properties dialogue, then modify the Tooltip text.
- 4. Save Changes: Click Save to embed your modified tooltip and metadata directly into the PDF file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does JAWS read tooltips in a different language when using the Tab key instead of arrow keys?
The Tab key moves focus specifically between interactive form fields, bypassing the surrounding structural text. It triggers JAWS to read the form field's specific tooltip and tag attributes. Arrow keys, however, navigate the document's logical text structure, relying on paragraph or document-level language tags.
Can I change the language for a single specific form field in a PDF?
Yes. In a professional PDF editor, you can open the Tags panel, locate the specific tag associated with that form field, right-click to access its Properties, and manually set a different language attribute for that specific element without affecting the rest of the document.
How do I verify if my PDF tag structure is accessible?
You can use built-in Accessibility Checker tools found in advanced PDF editors. These tools will scan the document for missing alt-text, incorrect language properties, and untagged form fields, providing a report of elements that need correction for screen readers like JAWS.
