Before sending your email or sharing your document or spreadsheet, run the Accessibility Checker to ensure your Microsoft Office content is easy to read and edit for people of all abilities.
To use the Accessibility Checker:
- On the ribbon, select the Review tab.
- Click Check Accessibility.
Figure 1.5.7-a: Accessibility Issues - Excel displays the Accessibility Checker pane.
Figure 1.5.7-b: Accessibility Issues - Click on an item in the Inspection Results section.
Excel uses the Additional Information section to explain why you should fix the issue and the steps to correct it.
Easily Fix Accessibility Recommendations
To quickly resolve accessibility errors and warnings, select a problem to open the Recommended Actions list.
You can apply a fix in one click by selecting an action, or click the arrow next to an action for more options.
Figure 1.5.7-c: Accessibility Issues
Monitor Accessibility as You Work in Excel
To be notified of accessibility issues while you continue working in Excel, check the box Keep Accessibility Checker running while I work.
Figure 1.5.7-d: Accessibility Issues
This adds the Accessibility button to your status bar and tracks accessibility issues in real time. You can open the Accessibility Checker anytime by selecting the button in the status bar.
Accessibility Checker Not Available?
If the Check Accessibility button is not visible under the Review tab, it may be due to an older version of the application. Here’s how to access the Accessibility Checker in that case:
- Go to File > Info.
- Select the Check for Issues button.
Tip: On the right of the « Check for Issues » button, under the Inspect heading, you’ll see a list of potential problems.
Figure 1.5.7-e: Accessibility Issues
- From the drop-down menu, select Check Accessibility.
Figure 1.5.7-f: Accessibility Issues - The Accessibility Checker pane will open next to your content, showing inspection results.
Figure 1.5.7-f continued: Accessibility Issues - To view information about why a problem should be fixed and how to fix it, select a problem under Inspection Results. The Additional Information section will show the explanation, and Excel will take you to the inaccessible content in your file.
Figure 1.5.7-g: Accessibility Issues