Document accessibility - Hyperlinks

Hyperlinks

Screen-reader users can extract hyperlinks from a document and view or browse them as a list. Using descriptive text instead of writing out long URLs makes it easier for screen-reader users to understand what content the hyperlink will send them to.

Hyperlink considerations

Embed hyperlinks in descriptive text that will make sense out of context. Non-descriptive text, such as “click here," will not make sense when the screen reader extracts and presents the text for browsing. Too much information, such as a URL containing a mixture of numbers, letters, and symbols, can be confusing and tiring for the reader.

For example, instead of using a hyperlink (for example, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRec4qjsrSs) write descriptive text: how to create accessible hyperlinks. Both hyperlinks will take the reader to the same web page, but the more descriptive link provides clarity for the user.

How to create a hyperlink from plain text

1. Highlight the descriptive text that will become your hyperlink.
2. Right click and select ‘Hyperlink.’
3. Add the website/address to the ‘Address’ bar and click ‘Ok.’
4. The descriptive text should now appear as a hyperlink.

How to change the name of a hyperlink

1. Right click on the hyperlink.
2. Choose ‘Edit Hyperlink’ from the dropdown menu.
3. In the ‘Text to display’ box, enter the label/descriptor of the hyperlink.
4. The hyperlink should now display the updated descriptive version of your URL.

Resources

• Microsoft Support: Accessible Hyperlinks