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Google Docs and Slides accessibility checklist — what an add-on can and can't check

Short answer

An add-on can check alt text on inline images, heading structure, link text, text colour contrast against solid backgrounds, slide titles and small text. You must review yourself: table header rows, document language, alt text of floating images, reading order of slides and floating objects, video captions, and whether colour alone carries meaning. Contrast must be at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (WCAG 2.1 1.4.3). Sources: W3C WCAG 2.1, Google Docs Editors Help.

Automated checks catch many common problems in documents, but Google exposes only part of a document to add-ons. This checklist splits the work into what a tool can check for you and what you have to look at yourself.

Quick steps

  1. Structure. Use Title and Heading styles in order (Heading 1, then 2, then 3). Give every slide a unique title.
  2. Images. Add alt text to every meaningful image; mark decorative ones.
  3. Links. Make link text describe the destination.
  4. Contrast. Check text colour against its background: 4.5:1, or 3:1 for large text.
  5. Manual review. Pin table header rows, set the document language, check slide reading order and captions.

An add-on can check

  • Alt text on inline images and drawings (Docs) and on images, videos and image-like shapes (Slides).
  • Missing headings, skipped heading levels, empty headings, bold short lines that look like headings.
  • Link text such as "click here", "read more", raw URLs and empty links.
  • Contrast of text against the page, highlight, shape fill or solid slide background.
  • Missing or duplicate slide titles, and very small text.

Review yourself

  • Table header rows: in Docs, Table properties → pin header row. Add-ons cannot read this setting.
  • Document language (File → Language).
  • Alt text of floating images in Docs.
  • Reading order of text boxes on slides (Arrange → Order) and of floating objects in Docs.
  • Captions on videos, and text that only appears inside pictures.
  • Colour used as the only way to show meaning (e.g. red = overdue).

Install from Google Workspace Marketplace — free checks

Sources: W3C WCAG 2.1 · Google Docs Editors Help: make your document, presentation, sheets & videos more accessible. Not legal advice — disclaimer.

FAQ

What contrast ratio do I need?

At least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (18 pt, or 14 pt bold) under WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3.

Does Google Docs have a built-in accessibility checker?

Google's help centre describes accessibility settings and screen reader support for Docs and Slides; check it for current features. Add-ons such as Access Check add a full issue list.

Will a PDF exported from Google Docs be accessible?

Export carries over some structure, but PDF tags are outside what Docs add-ons can check. Check exported PDFs with a PDF accessibility tool.

Updated 2026-10-27.

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