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Inspiring
July 31, 2023
Question

InDesign Cannot Set Actual Text [Accessibility]

  • July 31, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 615 views

InDesign has no way of setting actual text. This can only be done in PDF. Actual text is set when acronyms are used. Access technologies such as screen readers cannot properly read acronyms such as USA. They voice them as words, like "Youusah." Actual text has to be set for the document to be read correctly. This is a painstaking process that requires InDesign users to learn PDF Remediation, a highly specialized skillset that is typically outside the role of the average Graphic Designer. Currently, the process for setting actual text in Acrobat is as follows: Find the acronym in the Tags tree. Open the Accessibility tool and choose Reading Order. Drag a marquee over the acronym and tag it as what it is – paragraph/text or a heading level. The Tags tree will collapse. Open the Tags tree again to find the new acronym Tag. Right click on the new acronym Tag and choose “Properties”. Type the acronym with spaces between each letter in the Actual Text field, for example “U S A.” Spaces will cause the acronym to be read correctly. This issue affects EVERY SINGLE InDesign user who is required to make accessible content. Please make setting actual text an option within InDesign so painstaking remediation is not required.

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1 reply

kglad
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 31, 2023

adobe suggestions have greater effect if made elsewhere.

 

for applicable apps, you can make (some) suggestions to adobe here, https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/x-productkb/global/how-to-user-voice.html

 

for others, use https://www.adobe.com/products/wishform.html

 

<moved from cc desktop ideas>

bren87Author
Inspiring
July 31, 2023

Thanks.  I already submitted this in the admin console and adobe directed me here so I posted it here.  I'll just post it everywhere.  

kglad
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 31, 2023

don't post everywhere.  just post it where it's supposed to go:

 

https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601021-adobe-indesign-feature-requests