OneNote now makes it easier than ever to create inclusive, accessible content with the Accessibility Assistant, a streamlined experience replacing the classic Accessibility Checker. Use the Accessibility Assistant in OneNote to find and fix accessibility issues before you share your notes or collaborate with others.
Open the Accessibility Assistant in OneNote
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On the ribbon go to the Review tab and then select the Check Accessibility button. The Accessibility Assistant pane will open.
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Alternatively, press Alt+R to open the Review tab, then press A to select the Check Accessibility option.
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Follow the step-by-step guidance provided in the pane to resolve issues.
Use the Accessibility Assistant to find and fix issues
The Accessibility Assistant in OneNote provides real-time, guided support to help you identify and correct common accessibility issues within your notes. It is designed to enhance content usability for all users, especially individuals who rely on screen readers or other assistive technologies.
The tool focuses on three high-impact categories that can significantly affect the accessibility of your content:
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Missing alt text: This identifies images and non-text objects that lack descriptive alternative text.
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Missing table headers: This detects tables that do not have clearly defined header rows, which are essential for screen reader navigation.
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Unclear hyperlink text: This flags hyperlinks that use vague or non-descriptive phrases, such as “Click here,” which do not provide sufficient context about the link’s destination.
Resolve accessibility issues
The Accessibility Assistant in OneNote provides actionable guidance to help you address the most common accessibility issues. Follow the steps below to resolve each issue and improve the inclusivity of your content.
Missing alt text on images
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Enter a concise and descriptive summary that clearly conveys the image’s purpose or context. Example: “A presenter speaking at a technology conference.”
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If the image is decorative and does not add meaningful information, mark it as background so that screen readers can ignore it.
Missing table headers
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When prompted by the Accessibility Assistant, select Use first row as header to define the column headings.
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If the table does not currently contain a header row, add one with clear, descriptive labels. Example: “Task name,” “Due date,” and “Assigned to.”
Unclear hyperlink text
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Replace unclear or generic link text with descriptive phrases that clearly indicate the destination or purpose of the link. Example: Instead of “https://example.com,” use “View our privacy policy” or “Download the accessibility guide.”
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To update a hyperlink:
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Right-click the link and select Edit Link.
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In the Text to display field, enter a brief and descriptive phrase.
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Key benefits of Accessibility Assistant
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Actionable recommendations: Receive clear, step-by-step instructions to resolve each identified issue.
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Efficient navigation: Address one issue at a time, with a streamlined interface that keeps your focus in context.
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Learning tips: Understand why each issue matters and how fixing it improves the overall accessibility of your content.
Tips:
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To provide feedback to Microsoft about the Accessibility Assistant, select the Give Feedback button.
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To learn more about creating inclusive content, select the Learn more about accessibility button.
See also
Improve accessibility in your documents with the Accessibility Assistant
Create inclusive content with the new Accessibility Assistant in Microsoft 365
