PowerPoint slides
It's common for slides to be uploaded and saved online, even if they were initially intended to be shown in-person. For this reason, we recommend that all slides are created to be digitally accessible.
Adding content
Text
- Use clear, concise language.
- Break up information with bullet points.
- Ensure strong contrast (eg black text on white background).
- Use at least 18-point font for body text.
- Don’t use colour alone to convey meaning—add text labels or patterns.
Images and graphics
- Avoid using text in images—use real text boxes.
- Add alt text: Right-click > View Alt Text. Use “Generate alt text” if needed.
- Mark decorative images as such in the Alt Text pane.
- Describe charts/graphs in surrounding text.
Links
- Use meaningful link text (eg “Read our annual report,” not “Click here”).
Audio and video
- Provide captions or transcripts for videos.
- Include audio descriptions for key visual content.
Slide structure and navigation
- Use built-in slide layouts to ensure correct reading order.
- Check reading order with the Selection Pane (Home > Arrange > Selection Pane).
- Add a clear title to every slide for screen reader navigation.
Checking accessibility
- Run the Accessibility Checker on Microsoft PowerPoint (Review > Check Accessibility). If you are using a different programme, you will be able to Google what their equivalent of Accessibility Checker is.
- Review and fix all flagged issues.