Toolbox Tip: How to Write Alt Text Descriptions

Are you looking to create text descriptions for your images? In this toolbox tip, Haley Shust demonstrates how to write meaningful alt text descriptions. Shust shares how the type of content can affect the descriptions. Her recommendations include how to create effective alt text descriptions for screen readers, the differences between alt text descriptions and captions, what to avoid in you alt text descriptions, and five basic rules to great alt text. This tutorial is tool agnostic, since the process for creating alt text descriptions will differ based on the tool you use. Find out why you should be creating alt text descriptions for your images, such as ensuring your content is accessible, improving seo results, and providing display options when images fail to load.

ATD’s Toolbox Tips series provides e-learning hacks on various content authoring and learning technology tools. Get quick, useful “how-to” tutorials to apply directly to your e-learning instructional design work. Tune in for biweekly designer tips to help you troubleshoot on specific tools, learn new tasks, and discover new features.