Excel has an Accessibility Ribbon to help you make changes to ensure that worksheets are easier for people with disabilities to read and edit.
For some time, there’s been a Check Accessibility feature on the Excel Review tab. That opens a side-pane with suggestions for improving the worksheet.
Go to Review | Accessibility | Check Accessibility
The Accessibility Checker Panel is still on the right-hand side of the page plus an Accessibility ribbon.
Accessibility Ribbon
The Accessibility Ribbon doesn’t have any new features, instead it’s a collection of existing Excel buttons and options which are commonly used to make suggested accessibility changes.
Review / Check accessibility
Brings up the Accessibility inspection results in the right pane.
Spelling
Spell Check for spelling and grammar mistakes, or you can press the shortcut F7 instead.
Color
Provides a shortcut to two different color tools – perfect to change up text within the Excel spreadsheet that might be hard to view.
- Font Color
- Fill Color
Style
Focuses on tools that assist with making a smoother and more effective screen reading process for those that can’t view the screen. Each style option has a variety of different colored themes to choose from, with certain themes based on light, medium and dark styles.
- Cell styles
- Table styles
- PivotTable styles
- Shape styles
- Chart Colors
- Number Format
Format
Quick access to a variety of format features in Excel.
- Format as Table – ensures the work within the spreadsheet is formatted into a specific table with a chosen style.
- Unmerge cells
- Wrap Text
- Edit Link
Names
Provides quick access to name-related content in Excel.
- Alt text – create text descriptions for objects for screen readers.
- Define Name – Define and apply names
- Rename – Rename the spreadsheet
- Table Name – Rename the table
- PivotTable Name – Rename the PivotTable
Resources
Provides help and assistance on the best accessibility practices for Excel spreadsheets including:
- Including alt text for visuals
- Using simple table structures
- Using sufficient color & contrast
- Adding meaningful hyperlink text and screen tips
Fixing common Office document accessibility problems
Clever solution for Singular/Plural in Excel
How does Microsoft Word handle non-binary grammar like they?
Excel’s Find All tricks for Windows and Mac
