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Making Digital Assets Accessible: Spreadsheets

A resource to help you create accessible digital assets for projects, classes, or use online.

General Guidelines

This is an overview of the elements that require special consideration when creating accessible spreadsheets. 

  • Identify row and column headers with clear labels.
  • Give all sheet tabs unique names.
  • Add alt Text to embedded images, charts, and graphs in order to provide a description of the item. Images that are decorative maybe tagged as "null" so the screen reader skips the image.  
  • Make sure hyperlinks make sense without their surrounding content. For example do not title a link "click here" instead title with the name of the website or resource.
  • Do not use color as a means of conveying essential information.
  • Ensure the text is legible by using sans-serif fonts and make sure your color scheme has enough contrast between light and dark. Avoid using orange, red and green for your template or text. 

Information from Butler University LibGuide

How to Check Accessibility in Excel 2016

Resources

Accessibility Checker Tools