Hyperlink Descriptions

Adding descriptive hyperlinks in PowerPoint presentations improves accessibility by making it easier for screen readers and all users to understand the purpose of the link.

Why Descriptive Hyperlinks Are Important

  • Clarity for Screen Readers: Users relying on assistive technology will hear the description instead of just a URL.
  • Better User Experience: Clear descriptions let all users know what to expect when clicking the link.

How to Create Descriptive Hyperlinks

  • Insert the Link

    • Highlight the text you want to turn into a hyperlink.
    • Right-click and select "Link" (or press Ctrl+K).
    • In the Insert Hyperlink dialog box:

      • Paste the URL in the Address field.
      • Ensure the display text is meaningful.

  • Use Descriptive Text:

    • Instead of generic text like "Click here" or "Read more," describe the link’s purpose.
    • Examples
    • Instead of: Click here

      • Use: "Learn more about accessibility guidelines"

    • Instead of: www.website.com

      • Use: "Visit the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) website"

Adding Screen Tip Descriptions

You can include additional information using the "ScreenTip" feature, which shows a tooltip when hovering over the link.

Steps to Add a ScreenTip

  1. Highlight the text linked to your URL.
  2. Right-click and select "Edit Hyperlink".
  3. Click "ScreenTip" in the bottom-right corner of the dialog box.
  4. Enter a brief description, such as:"Opens the W3C homepage in a new tab."
  5. Click OK to save.

Avoid Displaying Long URLs

Screen readers will read out every character of a URL, which can be cumbersome. Always use meaningful text instead of raw URLs.

Example

  • Instead of: http://www.example.com/accessibility-guide
    Use: "Accessibility Guide by Example"

Formatting Hyperlinks for Readability

  • Color Contrast: Ensure the hyperlink text color is distinct and contrasts well with the background.
  • Underlining: Use underlining for hyperlinks to maintain conventional visual cues.
  • Font Size: Ensure the hyperlink text is large enough to read easily.

Check Accessibility

PowerPoint’s Accessibility Checker can identify potential issues with hyperlinks:

  1. Go to "Review" > "Check Accessibility".
  2. Ensure all hyperlinks are descriptive and accessible.

Best Practices for Hyperlink Descriptions

  • Keep descriptions concise but informative.
  • If linking to a document or file, mention the file type and size, e.g., "Download the PDF guide (2 MB)."
  • Avoid duplicating links unnecessarily on the same slide.