15 Making Excel Spreadsheets Accessible

Use Headers

Use headers to provide context and structure for screen readers. Select the header row and apply the “Header Row” style from the “Table Tools Design” tab.

Add Alt Text

Provide alternative text for charts and images to describe their content and function. Right-click the chart, select “Edit Alt Text”, and enter a description.

Ensure Proper Color Contrast

Use sufficient contrast between text and background colors to ensure readability. Use tools like the Color Contrast Analyzer to check contrast ratios.

Use Simple Table Structures

Avoid merged or split cells and ensure a simple, logical table structure. Use the “Format as Table” feature for proper structure.

Check Accessibility

Use the Accessibility Checker tool in Excel to identify and fix accessibility issues. Go to the “Review” tab and select “Check Accessibility”.