Accessible Slides: Reading Order and Useful Alt Text

Mastering the Reading Order Pane and Logical Focus

The most crucial accessibility fix in any slide presentation is verifying the object sequence. In modern PowerPoint, opening the dedicated "Reading Order Pane" (under Review > Check Accessibility) allows you to reorder slide objects from top to bottom, ensuring the slide title is read first, followed by body text, and finally any figures or charts. In Google Slides, the Tab key navigation order mirrors what screen readers announce. Always use standard slide master layouts rather than pasting unlinked floating text boxes everywhere, and group related elements together so assistive technology can interpret them as cohesive units.

Writing Meaningful Alt Text vs. Marking Decorative Graphics

Every image, flowchart, and chart in your deck needs deliberate evaluation. If an illustration is purely decorative—like a background swoop or an abstract shape—explicitly mark it as "Decorative" so screen readers skip right over it without wasting the listener's time. For data charts or instructional diagrams, avoid useless one-word captions like "chart.png." Instead, provide concise alternative text explaining the core takeaway: what trend does the chart illustrate, and what is the key metric being communicated? Dive into our curated workplace productivity and accessible design guide below to ensure your message reaches everyone seamlessly!