Adding alt text to an image in a Google Workspace project is become much easier after an update the accessibility was improved. Until recently, adding alt text to images was hidden behind a right-click menu. Now the option appears in the “Image Options” sidebar – not only that, but the option now comes with an explanation for the feature, telling users what the purpose of alt text is.
Alt text is used in the media and beyond to describe to people who have difficulty seeing what an image shows, giving them access to important contextual information that sighted people take for granted. But where alt text is available in software, it’s sometimes not explained, and when people who can see and read their screen clearly add images to their documents, they might not think about adding alt text, so having it more visible might help.
You may not yet have the feature in your own personal Google Workspace account. Google says it will take “no more than 15 business days” to roll out to Workspace customers.
