PDF Accessibility
Converting Existing PDF Files into Tagged PDF Files

Change Tag Type

At times, you will encounter a PDF file that contains some incorrect tags. You can change these by Right-clicking the tag you want to rename and selecting Properties, the Tag tab and then selecting the appropriate tag from the dropdown list labeled Type.

For example, to change a tag to <H1> instead of <Normal> select the <Normal> tag you want to change and do the following: Right Click > Properties and select Heading Level 1 from the list labeled Type.

Add Alternate Text to Images

There are two main ways to add alt text to images in Acrobat. The easiest method is to select the image. Choose Tools > Advanced Editing > TouchUp Object Tool and then click on the image that needs alternate text. Right-click on the selected image and select Properties from the menu.

Click on the Tag tab and type the appropriate alt text in the field labeled Alternate Text.

You can also do the same thing by selecting the tag, assuming that the tag is correct. The steps are exactly the same as above, but Right-click on the tag instead of the image.

Create New Tag

Sometimes it is just easier to create a new tag and drag the appropriate content into the new tag.

To create a new tag, in the Tag tab select Options > New Tag. Then choose the appropriate tag from the dropdown list. The new tag should appear just below the tag that was highlighted when you created the new tag. You may need to reorder the tags.

This can also be done in reverse. Click on the Select Text, Select Image, or Select Table (or just the Select tool in Acrobat 7) button and highlight the element that needs a tag. Then in the Tag tab choose Options > Create Tag From Selection.

Delete Tag

In the Tag Tab, select the tab you wish to delete and choose Options > Delete Tag.

Reorder Tags

To change the order of a tag using Acrobat 5 or 6, click and drag it under the tag you want it to follow. When you do this, depending on your position, you will see one of two different arrows.

• The first arrow looks like a solid triangle, pointing down . Releasing the tag when this icon appears will move the selected tag below the arrow, but on the same hierarchical level.
• The second arrow looks like a solid line with a small arrow on the right end . Releasing the tag when this icon appears will move the tag in one level, hierarchically, from the tag above the arrow.

Reordering tags can be a little frustrating in Acrobat 5 and 6. Not only is the click and drag extremely finicky, it is counter-intuitive. If you want to bring a tag in one level you must drag it to the outside of the tag you want it to follow and vice versa. Still with practice, it can be done. Luckily, it is quite a bit easier to rearrange tags in Acrobat 7. The arrows are easier to read, easier to drag, and are more intuitive.

• To move a tag in Acrobat 7, drag it so the arrow appears below the tag you want to follow.
• If you want to move the tag in one level hierarchically, drag it until the arrow appears to be indented under the correct tag.

Although the graphics have changed, the idea is still the same.

Reordering Tags Using the Order Tab

Although the reading order of a PDF can be changed by dragging tags around within the Tags tab, there is an easier way in Acrobat 7. To open the Order tab, select View > Navigation Tabs > Order.

At first glance, it resembles the Tags tab, but there are a few differences.

• The document is divided into pages.
• Each element is numbered, and the numbers start over on each page.
• There is no hierarchy of elements; everything is on the same level.

These differences help make the Order tab a much easier way to reorder tags. To change the order of a tag, just click and drag the tag to the location that reflects the correct reading order. This new order will be reflected in the Tags tab and when the document is viewed in Reflow mode.

Artifacts

Artifacts are elements that are ignored by a screen reader, sort of like empty alt text in HTML. An important piece of text that is labeled as an artifact needs to be identified and changed so that it will not be ignored by a screen reader.

To search for artifacts, within the Tags Tab select Options > Find. A window will appear with several search options. Artifact is the default search, so click Find. If there are any artifacts, the search will identify them and allow you to change them.

If you do want to change a tag to an artifact, Right-click on the item and select Change Tag to Artifact.