Images and Complex Visuals

Select Picture Format. Then select Alt Text.

Microsoft PowerPoint will open a screen to add 1–2 sentences for alt text on the right side of the screen. If the image is simply decorative, define or describe it as such.

Right click on the image.

Click on Edit Alt Text.

The same screen will pop up on the right side of screen.

Open a Google Slides presentation with images.

Right click on the image. Options will pop up.

Click on Alt Text. A window will open. Type in 1–2 sentences describing the image.

Select Add Block and click the Image option. If no Image option appears, simply type “image” into the search bar.

You can upload an image from your computer, add one from your site’s media library, or add one using an external URL.

Select your image. A block formatting menu will appear on the right side of the page.

Enter your description in the Alternative Text field (located in the Settings section of your block formatting menu).

As the content expert, you have the most context—so even if you use automated tools, you’ll need to review and update any generated text. When writing a long description by hand, include these key elements: 

• Purpose of the image – Why is it included? What concept or data does it represent? 
• Key elements – Describe important parts like labels, axes, colors, or sections. 
• Relationships and trends – Explain patterns, comparisons, or connections between elements. 
• Text within the image – Include any words, numbers, or legends that convey meaning. 
• Context – How does this visual support the surrounding content or learning objective?

Start broad, then add details in a logical order. Use plain language and keep it clear. This method works in any platform that supports alt text or description fields, such as PowerPoint, Word, or Canvas. 

Leverage AI tools like Copilot to generate a draft description quickly. Provide context about the image (e.g., “bar chart showing enrollment trends”) so the output is accurate. Always review and edit the draft for clarity and completeness before adding it to your content. 

While Generative AI tools will differ slightly, use the following instructions for using Microsoft Copilot to generate a text description of your image. 

Upload the image 

• Go to m365.cloud.microsoft/chat. 
• Sign in with your Microsoft 365 account. 
• In the chat interface, click the “+” (Add content) icon. 
• Select Add images or files. 
• Use the file picker to upload the image from your computer. 
• The image will appear as an attachment in your Copilot chat session

Prompt Copilot for a Long Description 

• In the message box, type a clear instruction such as:  
• “Generate a detailed long description of this image for accessibility purposes.” 
• “Describe all significant elements in this image, including colors, labels, and context.” 
• You can add extra context for better results:  
• “Focus on geographic features and major cities in this map.” 
• “Explain the relationships shown in this chart for students.”

For more information on writing for generative AI read: Write Effective Prompts. 

Upload the image to a reverse image search tool to find existing descriptions or related information. This is helpful for maps, historical images, or widely used graphics. Verify accuracy and adapt the description to fit your learning context. 

While browsers will differ slightly, use the following instructions for using Bing with Microsoft Edge to search and generate a text description. 

Upload the image 

• Open Microsoft Edge and go to bing.com/images.
• Click the camera icon in the search bar. 
• Choose Browse and select the image file from your computer (or drag and drop it into the box).

Add a text description 

• After uploading, Bing will show the image preview and a search box. 
• In that search box, you can type additional text such as: “Describe the image in text” or any keywords that provide context (e.g., “map of North Carolina major cities”). 

This helps refine the search results by combining visual recognition with text-based context. 

Place the long description directly under the image. 

This method requires no extra steps and ensures all users see the explanation. 

Surround the image with the long description as part of the caption. 

Useful for figures in documents or Canvas pages. 

Give the page a clear title (e.g., Image Long Descriptions). 

Use headings for each image:  

H2: Image title 

Paragraph: Long description text 

Link to this page from the image’s alt text or nearby content. 

• Create an online or downloadable doc titled Image Long Descriptions. 
• Structure:  
  • H1: Document title 
  • H2: Each image title 
  • Paragraph: Long description 
• Link the doc in your course materials. 

Add in a text box near the image 

Add to your Speaker Notes 

In WordPress, insert the UNCG Details Block to add the details disclosure element to show or hide your description.

• In WordPress, click “+” to add a block.
• Select UNCG Details
• Add your image title text where the block says “Summary goes here…”
• Add your long description where the block says “Details go here…”

If you’re comfortable using the Canvas HTML editor, you can add the details disclosure element to show or hide your description.

• Use the <details><details> tag to wrap the widget
• Use <summary></summary> tag as your title
• Enter your text or other HTML elements after the closing </summary> tag and before the closing </details> tag.

This is an example of what a disclosure widget might look like in the HTML editor:

<details>

<summary>Flowchart Long Description<summary>

<p>This flowchart illustrates the prototyping process. It begins with brainstorming, followed by research, new product development, and trend analysis. The prototyping phase is highlighted in a pink diamond, and the design phase includes implementation and testing. Each section is color-coded—blue, orange, purple, and yellow—to distinguish steps.</p>

</details>

Flowchart Long Description: This flowchart illustrates the prototyping process. It begins with brainstorming, followed by research, new product development, and trend analysis. The prototyping phase is highlighted in a pink diamond, and the design phase includes implementation and testing. Each section is color-coded—blue, orange, purple, and yellow—to distinguish steps. 

NC Map Long Description. This map shows North Carolina with major cities, highways, rivers, and lakes. Key cities such as Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Asheville are labeled. Interstate highways including I-40, I-85, and I-95 are marked in bold lines. The map also highlights state boundaries with Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina, and the Atlantic Ocean along the eastern edge.