Accessibility tags not exporting to PDF

Report · Nov 27, 2023

Hi,

I'm using InDesign 19.0.1

Im trying to export an accessible PDF. I've checked the tags on the paragraph styles and the object export options box. I've made sure I've ticked the create tagged PDF and include Bookmarks and Hyperlinks boxes when exporting to PDF.

When I open in Acrobat and look in the tags pannel it says no tags available. When I check the content pannel the containers all say <artifact> next to them.

I'm not sure what's going wrong? Can someone help?

Thanks,

Report · Nov 27, 2023

I've made sure I've ticked the create tagged PDF and include Bookmarks and Hyperlinks boxes when exporting to PDF.
By @Amy336479281tvp

Looks like there might be several issues with how your INDD was constructed and how it was exported to PDF.

1. How did you make the PDF?

Should use File / Export / Interactive PDF and check the options to create tagged PDF and Use structure for Tab Order.

If you used Paragraph styles to format every element of text — and if you've set the Export Tags (PDF) for each style — you should get a tagged PDF. Whether they are the correct tags and in a logical reading order are other issues. But you should get a tagged PDF out of the INDD layout.

... and include Bookmarks and Hyperlinks boxes when exporting to PDF.

2. This is done automatically with the Export / Interactive PDF settings and there's nothing for you to check.

So I suspect that part of the problem is your export settings.

When I check the content pannel the containers all say <artifact> next to them.

3. This is odd: if the PDF isn't tagged at all, then there's no way to indicate what's an artifact and what's live content (text and graphics). Artifact attributes are on tags, so if there aren't any tags, how could there be artifact attributes on them?

Did you by chance select the text frames and set them to Artifact with Object / Object Export Options (middle tab)?
Is the content sitting on a Parent/Master Page rather than on a live document page? Note that everything placed on a Parent Page is automatically artifacted when exported to PDF.
Did you use the Articles Panel?

Please check the above items and get back to us.

Also, which platform and operating system are you on?

Report · Nov 28, 2023

Thanks,

I'm using Windows 11.

I've been doing this for 5 years and never had a problem until now.

I've always saved as a print PDF and ticked the boxes for tagged PDF, hyperlinks and bookmarks and have never had a problem doing it that way.

As you suggested I tried saving as an Interactive PDF this time with Tagged PDF box ticked, but had the same problems. In the accessibility checker in Acrobat under document it tells me Tagged PDF Failed. Under accessibility tags it says no tags available.

The INDD template was provided to me by my client. I have used and checked all the paragraph styles for all text- all styles have a PFD tag under export tagging. Body copy is P and all the headings have appropriate level heading tags.

All my page content is in the working space, not on master pages. All my text boxes and images are allocated "From Structure" in the Tagged PDF pannel of the Object Export Options box. All my images have Alt text added too.

I've only had this problem since using the new 2024 InDesign and this new template file, but as described, i cant seem to find anything wrong with the template file.

Report · Nov 29, 2023

Can you drop back to 2023?

Open the template or document in 2024 and IDML it out.

Then open the IDML in 2023 and see if that corrects the problems.

I'm having tons of problems even with 2023 — and with files that worked fine just a few weeks ago. Crazy stuff, like mis-tagging an H2 as an H1 (conflicting info between the tag and the content structure), a multi-page/thread story that was set to artifact, etc.

And I'm one of the long-time gurus of accessible InDesign!

But other strangeness is there, too, such as clicking on a frame jumps my cursor to the previous page and frame. WTF!

It's 6:45 am my time and I've spent the last 6 hours trying to export a decent-enough accessible PDF to send to a client. No sleep tonight, thanks to Adobe!

Report · Nov 29, 2023

I re-installed the 2023 version but every time i tried to open my file the program crashed, both when trying to open an IDML or convert the newer INDD.

I couldn't figure out the problem so ended up tagging everything again in Acrobat.

Thanks for the advice. Still not sure what the solution is going forward 😞

Report · Sep 05, 2024

I think this is happening because you have the articles panel checked and nothing in the articles panel. You can remove the check or add things to the articles panel.

Report · Sep 05, 2024

Remember, when you use the Articles Panel, everything that must be tagged in the exported PDF must first be in the Articles Panel.

It's an all-or-nothing tool. Either put everything in the panel, or don't use it at all.

See previous post https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/accessibility-tags-not-exporting-to-pdf/m-p/1426...

Report · Sep 05, 2024

I've never used the Articles Pannel, I must admit I don't know what it does. On my document it has a check box 'From Master' ticked eith a list of items under. Should I just untick that? I assume ther graphic designer from my client side set the template up that way?

Report · Sep 07, 2024

On my document it has a check box 'From Master' ticked eith a list of items under.
By @Amy336479281tvp

Where are you seeing this "From Master"?

Can you provide a screen grab of what you're seeing?

Report · Sep 08, 2024

My Articles Panel. I've never used it before.

Report · Sep 09, 2024

@Amy336479281tvp, I don't see in your screen capture where InDesign says "From Master."

Where do you see this?

Report · Sep 09, 2024

@Amy336479281tvp, there are items in your Articles panel that shouldn't be there. Generally, lines, rectangles, circles, and other drawn objects are not "live" content that should be voiced to screen readers and other assistive technologies (AT), so they are:

Artifacted with the Object / Object Export Options tool, and
Not included in the Articles panel.

Items in red should NOT be included in the Articles panel.

Only text and graphics should be included.