← Years 7–8 Data & Information

Adding alt text to images

A short written description added to an image so screen readers can read it aloud to people who cannot see it. Right-click the image, choose Alt text, and describe its purpose.

Part of: 7-8 Digital Technologies: Using digital tools and conventions — Module 12, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — User Experiences and Interfaces — Module 53

Understanding Adding alt text to images in Years 7–8 Data & Information

What it does: This alt text says what the image is for and what it shows, which helps a screen reader user understand the point. Right-click the image, choose Alt text, then type your description into the box. The alt part holds the short description of the picture, so people who cannot see it still know what it shows.

Common mistakes: A file name does not tell a screen reader user what the photo shows. The alt text should describe the image, for example 'Brown dog fetching ball'. The Alt text option is in the menu that opens when you right-click the image. A left-click only selects it. The line should be 'Right-click the logo'.

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Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 87–99) and word search (Modules 87–124).

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Learning
Duo
What is alt text for?
A short description of an image that a screen reader can read aloudA caption that makes the image bigger on the screen
Matches
Alt text: IMG_4527.jpg
↓
A file name does not describe the image or its purpose. Write a short description of what the image shows instead.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Alt text
Meaning
A short written description added to an image so screen readers can read it aloud to people who cannot see it. Right-click the image, choose Alt text, and describe its purpose.
Practice
<img src="sports-day.jpg"
Testing
Gaps
Right-click the image, then choose
Check Answer
Spots
3Choose Alt text
4Type: IMG_4521.jpg

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Quick Questions

1. What is alt text for?
A. A short description of an image that a screen reader can read aloud ✓
B. A caption that makes the image bigger on the screen
Alt text is a written description attached to an image. Screen readers read it aloud for people who cannot see the image.
2. Which person would benefit most from alt text on an image?
A. A student who prefers to print their work in colour
B. A student who uses a screen reader because they are blind ✓
Screen readers speak the alt text aloud, so people who cannot see the image still get the information.
3. How do you usually start adding alt text to an image in a document?
A. Right-click the image and choose Alt text ✓
B. Double-click the image and press Delete
Right-click the image, choose Alt text, then type your description into the box.
4. Your photo shows a school soccer team celebrating a win. Which alt text is better?
A. IMG_4821.jpg
B. Year 8 soccer team cheering after winning the grand final ✓
Good alt text describes what the image shows and why it matters. A file name tells the listener nothing.
5. What should good alt text describe?
A. The purpose of the image and what it shows ✓
B. Only the file size and the date it was saved
Think about why the image is there. Describe what matters about it so the reader gets the same message.

Match the Pairs

Right-click > Alt text → The steps to open the box where you type a written description for an image
<img src="dog.jpg" alt="Brown dog catching a ball"> → An image with alt text that a screen reader can read aloud
Alt text should describe the purpose of the image, such as showing a graph of rising sales → Alt text: Line graph showing sales rising each month
Alt text is a short description attached to an image so a screen reader can read it aloud → alt="Student using a laptop in class"
Alt text: IMG_4527.jpg → A file name does not describe the image or its purpose. Write a short description of what the image shows instead.
Alt text: Image of a picture of a photo showing a picture of our school sports day where lots of students from every year level ran races and cheered → The alt text is far too long and repeats words like image and picture. Keep it short and describe the purpose, such as Students racing at sports day.

Key Term

Alt text
A short written description added to an image so screen readers can read it aloud to people who cannot see it. Right-click the image, choose Alt text, and describe its purpose.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Right-click the image, then choose Alt text
Hint: Type the menu option that lets you add a description to the image.
2. Right-click the image > Alt text > describe it
Hint: Type the mouse action that opens the menu for an image.
3. Alt text is read aloud by a screen reader
Hint: Type the tool that reads on-screen content aloud for people who cannot see it.
4. Good alt text describes the image's purpose
Hint: Type the word for the reason the image is included in the document.
5. Alt text is a short written description of an image
Hint: Type the word for written words that tell what an image shows.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Click the photo of the dog
B Right-click the image
C Choose Alt text
D Type: IMG_4521.jpg
Line D — A file name does not tell a screen reader user what the photo shows. The alt text should describe the image, for example 'Brown dog fetching ball'.
Question 2
A Insert the school logo
B Left-click the logo
C Choose Alt text
D Type: School crest with a lion
Line B — The Alt text option is in the menu that opens when you right-click the image. A left-click only selects it. The line should be 'Right-click the logo'.
Question 3
A <img
B src="dog.jpg"
C alt="image"
D >
Line C — The word 'image' does not describe anything, so it gives a screen reader user no useful information. The alt text should say what the picture shows, such as 'Dog catching a ball'.
Question 4
A Select the bar chart image
B Right-click, choose Crop
C Describe what the chart shows
D Type: Bar chart of test scores
Line B — Crop only trims the picture and does not add a description. To add alt text you right-click and choose Alt text.
Question 5
A Image: arrow button to submit
B Purpose: send the form
C Alt text: Right arrow
D Done: screen reader says it
Line C — Good alt text describes the purpose of the image. This button sends the form, so the alt text should be 'Submit form', not what the arrow looks like.

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