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J
jankees@osage
Participant
November 13, 2023
Question

Alternate-text seems to be removed after the pdf is converted to PDF/A-3a

  • November 13, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 1422 views
Since the latest version of Acrobat DC, the preflight Convert to PDF/A-3a seems to remove alt-text from the field 'Alternate text’ in the dialog panel Object Properties. The field is empty. But when you choose ‘Edit tag' the alt text is stille there.
This is confusing and disturbing, since our clients check and report missing alt texts.
 
Before converting to PDF/A-3a: Alt-text in field ‘Alt text’.
 
After converting to PDF/A-3a: No alt-text in field ‘Alt text’.
 
 
But the tag is not completely removed: 

 

Is there a solution for this problem (other than reapplying the alt-text)? Or is there a work around?

 

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    1 reply

    Amal.
    Amal.
    Legend
    March 8, 2024

    Hi there 
     
    Hope you are doing well and sorry to hear that
     
    Is this an issue with a particular PDF file or with all the PDFs? Please try with a different PDF file and check. 

    What is the version of the Acrobat DC you are using? To check the version go to Help > About Acrobat and make sure you have the recent version 23.08.20555 installed. Go to Help > Check for updates and reboot the computer once.
     
    Also try to repair the installation from the help menu (Win Only) and see if that works.
     
    Please try to reset the Acrobat preferences as described here https://adobe.ly/3V6INbh and check

     

    ~Amal

    J
    jankees@osageAuthor
    Participant
    March 10, 2024

    Hi Amal,

     

    This problem does not only occur on my computer. All of my colleagues deal with the same problem.

    And it's not related to only 1 file.

     

    The version number you mention is probably a Windows version.

    We work on Mac; my (recent) version is 2023.006.20380; we regularly update.

     

    Today I tested again and, sadly to say, the problems still occurs.

    Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
    Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com
    Legend
    March 10, 2024

    It might be a problem with the PDF/A conversion utility itself that you are using.

     

    Originally, the PDF/A standard was developed separately from PDF/UA (accessibility) and didn't adequately address accessibility. But the Level a and b conformance levels added later are supposed to retain accessibility features, including tags, structure, and alt text.

     

    References:

     

     

    @Amal. I tested one of our accessible PDFs that contained Alt Text, and exported it in Acrobat (2023.008.20555 Windows commercial) and the Alt Text was indeed dropped as the original poster said. I've attached my original and archive PDFs.

     

    Three comments:

    1. When in Acrobat, I should be able to select which PDF/A standard to use: /A-1, /A-2, /A-3, and /A-4. I also should be able to choose the conformance level, too: A, B, or even U (which drops the tags and accessibility).
    2. Right now, without any control from the user, Acrobat is defaulting to the PDF/A-2b standard. Not only is 2 out of date, but it doesn't allow the user to control which standard and conformance level to use.

       

    3. The user should be able to export to PDF/Axx directly from MS Office (with PDFMaker) and Adobe InDesign (which it appears was used by the original poster). At this time, it appears that /A-2a, /A-2b, /A-3a, and /A-3b will maintain the tags, structure, and Alt Text. Note that conformance level u drops the tag and structure, including the Alt Text.

     

    —Bevi Chagnon

    US Delegate to the ISO for PDF standards

     

    |    Bevi Chagnon   |  Designer, Trainer, & Technologist for Accessible Documents ||    PubCom |    Classes & Books for Accessible InDesign, PDFs & MS Office |
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