This page offers essential tips for creating accessible Excel spreadsheets. Consider key elements such as tables, color choices, and naming conventions to enhance usability. By implementing these practices, you can reach a broader audience, ensuring your data is accessible and effectively communicated to all users.
- Use the Accessibility Checker
- Create accessible tables
- Name tables
- Use table headers
- Add text to cell A1 for
- An overview of the worksheet
- Instructions and guidance
- Titles of tables
- Name cells and ranges to provide navigation and purpose
- Rename worksheets to describe purpose and context
- Check Fonts and Colors
- Use Alt Text for Visuals
- Create Accessible Charts
- Use clear and descriptive elements
- Charts float so place alt-text description in cells underneath charts
- Use descriptive language for links
- Test with Screen Reader
- Quick run with Windows Narrator
- NVDA is free for deeper checks
Resources
- Microsoft Best Practices for Excel accessibility
- How to make charts and graphs more accessible – Pope Tech
- How to make an accessible spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel (videos) – Section508.gov
- How Do I Check Accessibility In Excel? – aeldata.com
- POET tool from Benetech for writing descriptive alt text for charts and graphs