How to Fix Nested Alternate Text Errors in Acrobat Accessibility Checker
Question details
The user needs to resolve an accessibility conflict where adding figure alternate text creates a nested alternate text error in Adobe Acrobat.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Running the Acrobat Accessibility Checker and adding alternate text to figures within a PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- The Accessibility Checker throws a nested alternate text error because figure tags are improperly nested inside other figure tags within the document structure.
Before making structural changes, save a backup copy of your PDF document to ensure you do not lose any existing accessibility metadata during the tag editing process.
Rearrange Improperly Nested Figure Tags in the Tags Pane
Manually inspect the PDF tag hierarchy and move any nested <Figure> tags to their correct standalone locations to clear the accessibility conflict.
A nested alternate text error typically occurs when the document's hidden structural tags contain a <Figure> tag placed directly inside another <Figure> tag. Screen readers struggle with this structure, so it must be flattened in the Tags pane.
In Adobe Acrobat, go to the left-hand navigation panel. If the Tags pane is not visible, click on 'View' > 'Show/Hide' > 'Navigation Panes' > 'Tags'.
Click the plus (+) or arrow icon next to the main 'Tags' root to expand the document's tag tree and locate the page with the accessibility error.
Search for any <Figure> tags that are contained as children inside another <Figure> tag.
Click and drag the improperly nested <Figure> tag to a higher level in the hierarchy so it sits alongside, rather than inside, the other <Figure> tag.
Run the Acrobat Accessibility Checker again to confirm that the nested alternate text error has been completely resolved.
Manage Document Accessibility Easily with WPS Office
If you are struggling with complex PDF tag trees, WPS Office offers a seamless workaround. You can convert your PDF to a Word document, cleanly manage image alternate texts in a straightforward interface, and export it back to an accessible PDF.
- 1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your problematic PDF file in the WPS PDF editor.
- 2. Convert PDF to Word: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab and select 'PDF to Word' to convert the document into a fully editable format.
- 3. Edit Alternate Text Cleanly: In the new Word document, right-click the images, select 'Picture Options', and add your Alternate Text without worrying about hidden tag structures.
- 4. Export Back to PDF: Go to 'Menu' > 'Export to PDF' to generate a clean, accessible PDF file with proper metadata.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes a nested alternate text error in PDFs?
This error is triggered when the underlying XML tag structure of a PDF has a <Figure> tag embedded within another <Figure> tag. It confuses screen reading software, causing the checker to flag it as an accessibility violation.
Where can I find the Tags pane in Adobe Acrobat?
You can access the Tags pane by clicking on View > Show/Hide > Navigation Panes > Tags from the top menu. It will appear on the left navigation panel, represented by an icon that looks like a physical price tag.
Why didn't fixing the Tags pane resolve my accessibility error?
Sometimes the document structure is corrupted in the Content pane as well. You will need to open the Content pane (View > Show/Hide > Navigation Panes > Content) and reorganize the element containers to match the correct reading order.
Is there a way to prevent nested figure tags when creating a PDF?
Yes. When designing the original document in Microsoft Word or another authoring tool, ensure that images are inserted inline with text and avoid grouping multiple images together, as grouped objects often export as nested tags in PDFs.
