Adobe PDF Post-Conversion Tips

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Conversion from Microsoft Word

  1. Run accessibility checker.
    1. There is a bug in the conversion that makes the accessibility checker not find the title on the first pass. You can click “fix” on this issue to make the title connect.
    2. Correct any issues found.
  2. Check reading order to make sure it converted correctly.
  3. The PDF conversion artifacts every header and footer. If something like an address is in the header and footer, you may want to have one instance left in the tag tree so it’s available to assistive technology users. If so, add the content back to the tag tree.
  4. Add a table header scope to any simple tables.
  5. Add table header scope, span, and header IDs to any complex tables.
  6. Check for any lists, tables, and paragraphs that span across pages. Sometimes these are tagged as separate lists, tables, or paragraphs, when they should be part of the same tag structure.
  7. Links that span multiple lines may have two tab stops. Ensure all of the link text is contained in the <Link> tag and remove one of the tab stops.
  8. Ensure alternative text for graphics like line charts, pie charts, etc. is descriptive and correct. Word has a bug (as of August 2020) that causes the graphic’s ID to be put in as alternative text, even if alternative text is placed in the graphic in Word.
  9. If the document is a form, add form fields and tag them.

Conversion from Microsoft PowerPoint

  1. Run accessibility checker.
  2. Make title of the PowerPoint an <H1>. The accessibility checker will find this issue.
  3. Add a table header scope to any simple tables.
  4. Add table header scope, span, and header IDs to any complex tables.