How to Stop Acrobat Read Out Loud from Reading Text Inside PDF Graphs
Question details
The user needs to prevent PDF screen readers, specifically Acrobat's Read Out Loud, from redundantly reading internal vector text elements like axis labels and data points inside charts.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Testing a PDF document for accessibility or listening to a document containing charts exported from Illustrator or Excel.
- Observed behavior
- The Read Out Loud feature reads both the chart's main alternative text and all internal text elements within the vector graphic, creating a confusing and repetitive auditory experience.
Before modifying your PDF structure, verify the issue using a dedicated screen reader like NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver, as Acrobat's built-in Read Out Loud tool is not fully representative of standard accessibility compliance.
Mark Internal Chart Text as Artifacts in Acrobat Pro
Use Adobe Acrobat Pro to hide the background text of vector graphics from screen readers by converting them into artifacts, ensuring only the primary alternative text is announced.
When charts are exported as vector graphics, their text components (labels, numbers) are preserved as readable objects. Converting them to artifacts removes them from the document's logical reading order.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro, open your PDF document, and navigate to the left sidebar to open the 'Content' panel.
Expand the page tree within the Content panel to find the specific graphic labels, numbers, and axis text elements that are being read improperly.
Right-click on each unwanted text element or container and select 'Create Artifact'.
In the dialog box that appears, ensure 'Page' is selected and click 'OK' to permanently remove these elements from the assistive technology reading order.
Convert Vector Charts to Raster Images
Prevent screen readers from detecting individual text elements entirely by saving your charts as flat, high-resolution images (PNG or JPEG) before adding them to your document.
Create and Export Accessible PDFs Easily with WPS Office
If you frequently encounter complex PDF tagging and accessibility issues when exporting documents, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a seamless, lightweight, and free alternative to Microsoft Office, allowing you to easily manage charts, images, and PDF conversions while maintaining perfect document fidelity.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
- 2. Edit Your Document: Open your Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files containing charts. You can easily save vector charts as pictures right within the editor.
- 3. Export to PDF: Go to the 'Menu' and click 'Export to PDF' to generate a clean, easily readable document free of conflicting vector text elements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Acrobat Read Out Loud read every number on my graph?
When charts are exported as vector graphics from programs like Excel or Illustrator, the text elements (like axis labels and data points) are preserved as individual text objects in the PDF. The Read Out Loud feature incorrectly detects and reads these individual objects alongside the chart's overall alternative text.
Is Adobe Acrobat's Read Out Loud feature good for accessibility testing?
No, it is highly discouraged to rely solely on Read Out Loud for accessibility testing. It is a simple text-to-speech tool, not a full screen reader. Always test your PDF documents using dedicated assistive technologies like NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver, or automated tools like PAC 3.
Can I fix PDF chart reading issues without using Adobe Acrobat Pro?
Yes. The simplest workaround is to open your original document (e.g., in Word or Excel), convert the vector chart into a flat raster image format like PNG or JPEG, replace the original chart with this image, and then export the document to PDF again.
How do I ensure alternative text is read correctly in a PDF?
You should apply alternative text to the main image or figure tag using the Accessibility tools. Concurrently, make sure that any internal text or redundant vector paths are marked as 'Artifacts' in the Content panel so that assistive technologies ignore them and only read your concise description.
