How do I add ALT text for an image in Canvas?

You will learn how to add ALT text (a useful description) for an image in your course in Canvas. Inserting an image into your course in Canvas can be quite useful. However, to make the image accessible and usable to students with low vision, you should add ALT text or a description of the image.

Students using screen reader software can hear the ALT text you have added.

I want to upload an image and add ALT text.

1. Click on the Page, Discussion, Quiz question or Assignment.

Page link called 'ALT Text for an image' selected

2. Click on Edit.

Edit button selected

3. Click on the Image icon.

Image icon in toolbar selected

4. Select Upload image.

Tip: You can also add images you have already uploaded to your course or your personal repository to this New Rich Text Editor.

Upload Image selected

5. Drag and Drop the image to the upload area.

the image is dragged to the upload area

6. Type a useful description in the Alt Text box.

Tip: The alt text should be between 8 and 60 characters and should not use the word "picture" or "image". Try to type a description which will be useful for someone who must rely on the description to know what the image is about.

Alt Text box selected

7. If the image is purely decorative, tick the box.

If you tick this box, then you do not need to also add a description to the Alt Text text box.

Decorative Image tick box

8. Click on Submit.

Submit button selected

9. Click on Save.

Save button selected
I want to add ALT text to an image which is already in my course.

1. Click on the Page, Discussion, Quiz question or Assignment.

Page link called 'ALT Text for an image' selected

2. Click on Edit.

Edit button selected

3. Click on the image.

Image selected

4. Click on Image Options.

Image Options selected

5. Type the appropriate description in the Alt Text box.

Alt Text box selected

6. Click on Done.

Done button selected

7. Click on Save.

Save button selected (2)

Additional resources

Article Summary

You have now learned how to add ALT text to an image which you use in your course in Canvas.