#  When to add alt text 

 



Alternative (Alt) Text is meant to convey the “why” of the image as it relates to the content of a document or webpage. It is read aloud to users by screen reader software, and it is indexed by search engines. It also displays on the page if the image fails to load.

Alt text should be brief and descriptive of the most important, meaningful elements of the image. Think to yourself, if someone couldn't see the image, how would you describe it to them within the context of the page?

Sometimes the same image used in multiple places needs different alt text in each situation. If the existing alt text for an image doesn’t fit the context for a page, you can add new alt text in the **Alt Override** field.

If an image is purely decorative and does not add any meaningful content to the page, select the **checkbox** for **Mark Image as Decorative**, so that screen readers will skip over the image. Note that the **Mark Image as Decorative** option is only available for images added to components; it’s not available for images added using the **Text Editor** (see [Adding an image](/adding-an-image "Adding an image")).

   ![Screenshot of alt override field and mark image as decorative checkbox.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2024-10/screenshot_alt_override.png?itok=TWLfgpXn) 

 

Use the **Alt Override** field as needed to provide alternative text that fits the context. For decorative images, select the **Mark Image as Decorative** checkbox (for components only).

 

 

##  Learn more about alt text 

 



 ### Digital Accessibility Best Practices

Best Practices

Learn more about [how to write helpful alt text to describe images](https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/describe-content-images) and explore examples on the Digital Accessibility website.



 

   ![Icons for touch, sight, accessibility, cognition, and hearing](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-12/thumb_das.png?itok=j55tHWpY) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 See also:- [ Accessibility ](/general-site-management/accessibility)
- [ Images ](/general-site-management/images)