Image alt text and captions

How to describe an image for screen reader users, mark an image as decorative, and add a caption to an image in a course.

How do I add alt text, mark an image as decorative, or add a caption?

In the new course builder, select the image, open the Image menu in its toolbar and choose Alt text. Type a description in the Describe the image box and save it, or switch on Decorative image if the image is only there for looks. To add a caption, select the image, open Image caption in the toolbar, switch on Show caption and type your caption on the image.

Alt text (alternative text) is the description a screen reader reads out in place of an image, so learners who can't see it still get what it shows.

How do I add alt text to an image?

1. Select the image on the screen so its toolbar appears.
2. Open the Image menu (the image icon with a small arrow).
3. Select Alt text.
4. Type a description in the Describe the image box.
5. Press Enter or select Save alt text. Closing the menu also saves what you've typed.

The same Alt text option is in the image menu for image blocks, slideshow slides, flashcard images, process step images and hotspot images. Each slide, card and step has its own alt text.

Describe what the image shows that matters for the lesson, in a sentence or so. For a chart or diagram, give the point it makes.

What happens if the image is used in other courses?

Alt text belongs to the image in your library. When you save alt text in a course's original language, it's saved to the library image and used wherever that image appears in other new builder courses in your workspace. Courses that are already published show the new alt text after you next publish them. Translations keep their own alt text.

When should I mark an image as decorative?

Mark an image as decorative when it adds nothing a learner would miss, such as a background texture or a photo that's only there to set the mood. Screen readers then skip it.

1. Select the image and open the Image menu.
2. Select Alt text.
3. Switch on Decorative image, then select Save alt text or close the menu.

Any alt text you've already written stays saved, so you can switch Decorative image off again later. Decorative applies only to that one placement of the image, not to every course that uses it.

How do I add a caption to an image?

1. Select the image block.
2. Open Image caption in the toolbar (the label icon with a small arrow).
3. Switch on Show caption.
4. Type your caption in the Add a caption box on the image.

The caption sits over the bottom corner of the image. Switch Show caption off to hide it. In a slideshow, each slide has its own title and description captions instead, which you set up from Slide captions in the toolbar.

Can the agent help with alt text?

Yes. The Review tab in the agent panel flags images, slideshow slides, flashcard images and process step images that have no alt text. Select Write alt text on a finding and the agent writes a description from the image for you to check.

Can I add alt text in the Classic builder?

Yes. Select the image, select Alt text in the toolbar, type a description in the Add an image description box, then select Save changes. The Decorative image option and image captions are in the new course builder only.

Frequently asked questions

Should a caption repeat the alt text?

No need. Everyone sees the caption, so use it for context all learners benefit from, such as a source or a short explanation. Use alt text to describe what the image shows.

Can I set alt text in my library instead?

Yes. Alt text added to an image in your library is used when you place that image in a course, so you don't need to write it each time.