Re: [WSG] Length of ALT attribute
Thanks for that link, it makes interesting reading. There are two options for passing this requirement "The ALT attribute value must be less than 100 characters for English text or the user must confirm that the Alt text is as short as possible." Well, I am trying to describe some complex images, involving (Government) program changes over a period of time. Yes, I have a longer text description available but I want there to be enough ALT text to give the user a sense of what is there, and therefore whether they want to go and read/hear the full text description. So, who is the "user"? I think the ALT text is as short as possible, to convey the meaning of the image. But, of course, I would, wouldn't I? Anura >> According to WCAG20, the ALT text for English should be less than 100 characters. >> Here is the link: >> http://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/WCAG20/tests/test3.html ** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help **
Re: [WSG] Length of ALT attribute
Hi Anura, According to WCAG20, the ALT text for English should be less than 100 characters. Here is the link: http://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/WCAG20/tests/test3.html If memory serves me right, for Section 508, the limit is 80 characters. Regards, -Vlad http://xstandard.com Standards-compliant XHTML WYSIWYG editor - Original Message - From: "Anura Samara" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2004 7:51 PM Subject: [WSG] Length of ALT attribute > Is there a recommend length for ALT attributes? Or different > implementations of ALT attributes between browsers that affect the > length? > > In response to some accessibility testing, I am working on modifying > some ALT attributes on images used in our online annual report, and as > you can imagine some of them are a bit long - the longest I have at > the moment is 53 words/280 characters. > > And in case anyone is wondering, yes, we do have long text > descriptions for each image - the text I have for the ALT attribute is > essentially the modified first sentence from the long description. > > Thanks for any pointers, > > Anura > ** > The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ > > See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm > for some hints on posting to the list & getting help > ** > > ** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help **
Re: [WSG] Length of ALT attribute
Thanks for the help everyone. I had heard about 255 characters before but couldn't find any definitive references to it. The issue with characters being cut off may be a concern - we'll need to cram some important words in the first characters of the text. And yes, we have long descriptions for the images already. As I said at the start, the longest is 280 characters so I'll assume that is safe. Now, what is that old saying about "assume"... Anura ** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help **
Re: [WSG] Length of ALT attribute
Couldn't find reference to the 255 characters but did find this: Keep the alt text short. There is no set limit on the length of an alt text, but as we shall see shortly, a very long alt may not be fully displayed when image-loading is turned off or when the browser cannot locate the image file. By convention, limit alt texts to 1,024 characters (1 K) or less. When it comes to writing the actual text, remember that alt takes the place of the graphic. Tell us what the picture is or represents or sum up its function, but don¹t tell us that it¹s a picture. I¹ll give you actual examples in a moment, but steer clear of writing a sort of metaalt text, like ³Picture of sunset over Darling Harbour² or ³Picture of company logo.² http://joeclark.org/book/sashay/serialization/Chapter06.html > In his accessibility book, Joe Clark suggests a maximum of 255 > characters is a good guideline. After that, simplify your image or > create a longdesc. > >>> Is there a recommend length for ALT attributes? Or different >>> implementations of ALT attributes between browsers that affect the >>> length? >>> >>> In response to some accessibility testing, I am working on modifying >>> some ALT attributes on images used in our online annual report, and as >>> you can imagine some of them are a bit long - the longest I have at >>> the moment is 53 words/280 characters. ** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help **
Re: [WSG] Length of ALT attribute
In his accessibility book, Joe Clark suggests a maximum of 255 characters is a good guideline. After that, simplify your image or create a longdesc. On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 12:51:32 +1100, Natalie Buxton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Not sure about recommended length, but there is the LONG DESC tag for > longer descriptions of images. > > Personally, I feel alt text should be short and only contain bare essentials. > > > On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 11:51:08 +1100, Anura Samara <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Is there a recommend length for ALT attributes? Or different > > implementations of ALT attributes between browsers that affect the > > length? > > > > In response to some accessibility testing, I am working on modifying > > some ALT attributes on images used in our online annual report, and as > > you can imagine some of them are a bit long - the longest I have at > > the moment is 53 words/280 characters. > > > > And in case anyone is wondering, yes, we do have long text > > descriptions for each image - the text I have for the ALT attribute is > > essentially the modified first sentence from the long description. > > > > Thanks for any pointers, > > > > Anura > > ** > > The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ > > > > See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm > > for some hints on posting to the list & getting help > > ** > > > > > > > -- > Website Designer/Developer > www.nataliebuxton.com > ** > The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ > > See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm > for some hints on posting to the list & getting help > ** > > ** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help **
Re: [WSG] Length of ALT attribute
Not sure about recommended length, but there is the LONG DESC tag for longer descriptions of images. Personally, I feel alt text should be short and only contain bare essentials. On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 11:51:08 +1100, Anura Samara <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Is there a recommend length for ALT attributes? Or different > implementations of ALT attributes between browsers that affect the > length? > > In response to some accessibility testing, I am working on modifying > some ALT attributes on images used in our online annual report, and as > you can imagine some of them are a bit long - the longest I have at > the moment is 53 words/280 characters. > > And in case anyone is wondering, yes, we do have long text > descriptions for each image - the text I have for the ALT attribute is > essentially the modified first sentence from the long description. > > Thanks for any pointers, > > Anura > ** > The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ > > See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm > for some hints on posting to the list & getting help > ** > > -- Website Designer/Developer www.nataliebuxton.com ** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help **
[WSG] Length of ALT attribute
Is there a recommend length for ALT attributes? Or different implementations of ALT attributes between browsers that affect the length? In response to some accessibility testing, I am working on modifying some ALT attributes on images used in our online annual report, and as you can imagine some of them are a bit long - the longest I have at the moment is 53 words/280 characters. And in case anyone is wondering, yes, we do have long text descriptions for each image - the text I have for the ALT attribute is essentially the modified first sentence from the long description. Thanks for any pointers, Anura ** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help **
