How do I create accessible texts and fonts in Microsoft Excel?
\uD83D\uDCD8 Instructions
Section 1.1: Fonts
As cool as some fonts look, its best to just use the ones that are easiest to read.
Font sizes should never be smaller than size 12.
Section 1.2: Capitalization
Screen readers do not recognize capitalized letters, so there is no point to relying on capital letters to emphasize text.
This example shows unnecessary capitalization in letters. Screen readers will not emphasize the text even when it is in all caps.
This example shows a new way to show the important content. Screen readers will read the (covered) label and tell the reader that it will be on the test.
DO NOT TYPE A SENTENCE LIKE THIS.
Use capitalizations to show the IMPORTANT text. Be sure to use capitalizations sparingly.
Section 1.3: Bold, Italic, and Underlined Text
Screen readers do not recognize bold, italic, or underlined text. They will just read it as if it were normal text. In order to emphasize meaning in the text, you need to create a second way for people to see the text. A good rule of thumb is to use bold text, italics, and underlined text sparingly.
This example only shows the text bolded. The screen reader will not read the bold text and understand how its important.
This example shows the text bolded and has an addition queue. The “(work still owed)” queue will be read by screen readers, and it will be easier for a reader to understand the content.
This an example that is difficult to read, has way too many things bolded and italicized. The underlining also distracts readers and can make it harder to understand.
This example uses bold, italics, and underlining text sparingly. Only change the important words. This will make the content easier to read.
Section 1.4: Strikethrough
When a screen reader reads text with strikethrough like normal text. So when you use strikethrough, be sure to give a second indicator. This will give the screen reader another queue to give the reader.
The table shows the words are struck through. However, if a person with visual issues sees this, they would struggle to know which items are crossed out. The screen readers will also not tell them which item is crossed out.
This table shows both queues. The screen reader will tell the reader the completed tasks as labeled
Section 1.5: Highlighting
When highlighting, it is important to be sure it is not the only way to convey meaning. Screen readers will not recognize the highlighted text as highlighted text. So it will only read it as normal text. This will be confusing to someone with visual problems.
This example only highlights the text and does not provide an additional queue for a screen reader to tell the reader that the highlighted text means something.
This example gives a second queue for the screen reader to read. This will help a reader understand the meaning and context behind a highlighted text.
Section 1.6: Text Visibility, and Overflowing Text
All text must be visible in a spreadsheet. Sometimes when we type in a spreadsheet, the words may become invisible when we go to the next cell. To fix that, click the Wrap Text button to reformat the text to fit in the cell.
This text is completely hidden. This would be hard for anyone to read.
Wrap Text has been applied and now all of the text is visible and easy to read
When you have overflowing text, all you have to do is extend the cell. To extend the cell, double click the line between the cell you are typing in and the one next to it. Excel will automatically expand the cell to make the content fit inside.
The sentence is in Cell A1, but it does not fit inside.
Now the cell fits inside Cell A1.
Section 1.7: How do you use Symbols and Special Characters for Accessibility?
You can use many different symbols and special characters. However, they must always be communicated in regular text as well. This must be done so the screen readers will read the symbol properly to the reader. Here is a list of 15 symbols and special characters that are good to use, as well as the text you should use for the screen reader to read off.
The AT Symbol
The Ampersand
The Slash
The Copyright Symbol
The Trademark Symbol
US Dollar
Euro
British Pound
Japanese Yen
Paragraph Symbol
Bullet
Degrees
One Half
One Fourth
Three Fourths