All Images Should Include Descriptive Text
Image Alt Text Guidelines
- Be brief – limit to 125 characters
- Include any quotes/text on the image in the ALT text
- Avoid the use of “Picture Of”
- Check spelling
- Avoid abbreviations
How to add Alt Text
When adding an image to the Media Library, you have the option of adding Alt Text. This only needs to be done once – if you use the image again, the alt text will already be there.
![alt-text-sample Alt text box highlight in media](https://www.columbus.in.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/alt-text-sample.jpg)
Video
Here’s a quick video about how to add alt text.
Text on Images
- In general, do not use text on images
- Use Buttons for Call-to-Action, to Highlight Links to Information
What not to do
![Screen Shot 2023-09-13 at 11.05.41 AM Incorrect button presentation](https://www.columbus.in.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-13-at-11.05.41-AM.png)
These “buttons” are actually images, and therefore are not readable by site-readers.
What to do instead
![Screen Shot 2023-09-13 at 11.06.06 AM Buttons with icons](https://www.columbus.in.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-13-at-11.06.06-AM.png)
These buttons are created with icons and text – meaning they can be read by a site-reader.
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