How to Fix Null Alt Text on Link Tags in InDesign Exported PDFs
Question details
Users need to resolve an accessibility issue where PDFs exported from Adobe InDesign contain empty alternative text attributes on link tags.
- Product
- Adobe InDesign
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Exporting a document from Adobe InDesign to a Tagged PDF for screen reader accessibility.
- Observed behavior
- Link tags in the exported PDF contain null alt text attributes when the field is left blank in InDesign, preventing screen readers like JAWS from reading the link content properly.
Ensure you have the latest version of Adobe InDesign installed and access to a professional PDF editor, such as Adobe Acrobat Pro, to inspect the exported document structure manually.
Add Meaningful Alt Text in Adobe InDesign Before Exporting
The best way to prevent null alt text attributes is to ensure all hyperlinks and linked objects have appropriate descriptive text configured natively in InDesign.
By defining the alternative text at the source document level, you ensure that every subsequent PDF export retains the correct accessibility tags, saving you from having to manually remediate the PDF every time.
Open your document in Adobe InDesign and select the hyperlink, image, or object that requires alternative text.
Navigate to the top menu and click on 'Object', then select 'Object Export Options' from the dropdown menu.
Click on the 'Alt Text' tab in the dialog box. Choose 'Custom' from the 'Alternative Text Source' dropdown and type a descriptive, meaningful summary for the link.
Go to 'File' > 'Export', select 'Adobe PDF (Interactive)' or 'Adobe PDF (Print)', and ensure the 'Create Tagged PDF' checkbox is selected before saving.
Remediate Tag Structure in Adobe Acrobat Pro
If you cannot modify the original InDesign file, you can manually fix the null alt text using the tagging tools in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Update Creative Cloud Applications
Updating to the latest version of InDesign and Adobe Acrobat can resolve known software bugs related to document structure and PDF tagging.
Easily Edit PDF Links and Text with WPS Office
If you need a fast and straightforward way to modify PDF text, edit hyperlinks, or adjust standard document properties without dealing with complex accessibility tagging trees, WPS Office provides an incredibly intuitive PDF editing suite.
- 1. Open Your PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document containing the links you wish to review or edit.
- 2. Access the Edit Menu: Click on the 'Edit' tab located at the top of the main workspace to reveal the PDF editing toolbar.
- 3. Select the Link Tool: Click on the 'Link' option. This will highlight all active hyperlinks currently embedded in the PDF document.
- 4. Modify the Hyperlink: Double-click the highlighted link to open its settings. From here, you can change the link destination, adjust its appearance, or delete it entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does InDesign export PDFs with null alt text on links?
When the alternative text field for a hyperlink or linked object is left completely blank in Adobe InDesign, the application may export it as a null attribute. This causes screen reading software to skip or misinterpret the link.
Can automated accessibility checkers detect null alt text on link tags?
Not always. Many common PDF accessibility checkers only verify that a tag exists; they often fail to flag null or empty alternative text attributes. This is why manual inspection and testing with a screen reader like JAWS are strongly recommended.
Do I have to return to InDesign to fix PDF accessibility tags?
No. While fixing the issue in the source InDesign document is a best practice for future exports, you can manually remediate the tags of an existing PDF using the 'Tags' panel in Adobe Acrobat Pro or another dedicated PDF accessibility remediation tool.
