Excel Accessibility Checklist

Layout

• Do begin content/tables in cell A1
• Do begin all subsequent tables in Column A with a single blank line between each table
• Do use descriptive text to explain formulas
• Do create a region on the first worksheet called “Information” or “Instructions”
• Do type “End of worksheet” below the last row of data on each sheet
• Do name each tab with a unique name

Tables

• Do include alt text
• Do define header rows and columns
• Do “Repeat as header row at the top of each page”
• Don’t use merge cells
• Do notate formula cells that affect cells in other sheets

Images

• Do include alt text
• Do set wrapping style to “In line with text”
• Don’t use background images or watermarks

Objects (SmartArt, shapes, charts, tables)

• Do include alt text
• Do set wrapping style to “In line with text”
• Don’t use text boxes or WordArt
• Don’t use background images or watermarks

Text

Color

• Do use contrasting colors
• Don’t use color-blind color combinations (red/green is most common)
• Do use other means of conveying information in addition to color (bold, italics)

Font

• Do use 12 point or larger
• Don’t use all caps

Hyperlinks

• Do describe the purpose of the target link in the hyperlink title (not “click here” or “more”)
• Do provide full link URL
• Do add ScreenTips

Document

• Do use the Check Accessibility feature in the Review tab

More Information

For more information go to this Microsoft page with the latest accessibility updates and information.