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Use of alt text in document tables

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From: Wyant, Jay (MNIT)
Date: Feb 22, 2016 6:55AM

We're about to create a training program on how to make accessible electronic documents. The focus will be on MS Word, though the principles can apply to any document application such as Google Docs. Here's the question:

Is there any particular reason for adding alt text to data tables? This assumes you've identified header rows and other basic formatting. If you have a lot of tables, you may include captions and/or bookmarks to identify each table.

MS Word's accessibility test throws an error if you don't add alt text, but I don't want to make people do things just because Word says so.

Thanks.

Jay
Jay Wyant |  Chief Information Accessibility Officer
MN.IT Services, Central
651.201.1001 (w) | 612.825.8285 (m) | <EMAIL REMOVED>

Information Technology for Minnesota Government | mn.gov/mnit
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