Inspiring

Question

Alt Text Not Displaying for EPS Files in PDF Export

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
November 1, 2024
3 replies
3284 views

I've been able to get alt text to display in PDF for JPG/PNG using 'Object' > 'Object Export Options' > 'Alt Text Source' > 'Custom', but any vector images (AI, SVG, EPS) in the same document doesn't show the alt text in the resulting PDF.

Is this normal?

C

Cristy29156995agxs

Participant

Has a solution been found on this? I am having the same issue.

Willi Adelberger

Community Expert

Don't use EPS in modern times is the solution. Probably e used and not embedded. In InDesign place PDF/X-4 instead.

L

Laubender

Community Expert

Hi @MrZZY ,

indeed that's an issue. My workaround would be a dummy image file with no drawing pixels at all that is stacked above the vector graphic. In my test case a PhotoShop image with transparency only, 100 x 100 px:

Acrobat is showing the alt text of the frame holding the transparent image:

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

Robert at ID-Tasker

Legend

@Laubender

But @MrZZY has a problem with vectors - not bitmaps - but on the other hand - it works perfectly fine for me?

M

MrZZYAuthor

Inspiring

@MrZZY said: "…can you confirm your're seeing the same issue as me? If so, are you on ID 2025 Mac?"

Absolutely. I'm on macOS 12.7.1 with InDesign 2025 version 20.0.0.95 and can confirm the issue.

What is not working for me is a placed and linked PDF that I attached the Alt Text to. Saved the PDF from Adobe Illustrator 2025 as PDF/X4 and placed and linked it with InDesign 2025. The page was finally exported as PDF/X-4.

@Robert at ID-Tasker said: "…Applying Alt Text for a PDF is working fine for me."

How was the placed and linked PDF saved? How did you export the PDF from the InDesign page?

Could you please attach your sample PDF and your sample InDesign document so that I can have a look?

Thanks,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

Hi Uwe

Is this a bug then? No-one has offered an explanation for why this behaviour is correct, and every seems to assume that placed vector graphics should show alt-text when exported as PDF (provided all the correct export conditions have been set of course). How do I go about checking whether this is already know, or bring it to the attention of those that need to know, in the right way?

Willi Adelberger

Community Expert

Avoid EPS asit is an archaic outdated file taype. It does not support transparency or color management. It causes also other problems. Sice 2000 it is recommended not to use EPS anymore in InDesign.
use PDF/X-4 or AI instead.

M

MrZZYAuthor

Inspiring

Thanks, I'll look into that. AI does the same thing and will not show alt text.

Willi Adelberger

Community Expert

Then use PDF/X-4. Only X-4 or native AI-PDF, which is technically the same.

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