Fix PowerPoint alt text and reading order

Alt text

1. Open Accessmith and select Check this document.
2. For each "no alt text" or "file name" issue, type a short description of what the picture means on that slide and select Apply, or Mark decorative if it adds no information.
3. Undo is available for each change.

Reading order

Screen readers read slide objects in the order of the Reading Order pane, which can differ from how the slide looks. Accessmith does not check this automatically.

1. Desktop PowerPoint: Review > Check Accessibility > Reading Order Pane. Objects are read top to bottom in that list; drag or use Move Up / Move Down to match the visual order.
2. Group complex diagrams so they are read as one unit, and give the group alt text.
3. PowerPoint on the web has no Reading Order pane; Section508.gov suggests using the Selection Pane instead.

Sources (checked 25 October 2026): Microsoft Support: Reading Order pane; Section508.gov: Presentation reading order.