Grackle Docs for accessible Google Docs
Grackle Docs is a Google extension that scans docs for common accessibility issues and suggests fixes right in your Google Doc. Use Grackle to evaluate your documents and cross-check your accessibility practices.
Similar to other accessibility checkers, Grackle Workspace is an automated tool that will not catch all accessibility barriers and may suggest recommendations that are not applicable. Employ accessibility best practices for documents first, and use Grackle as a secondary check.
How do I use Grackle Docs to improve the accessibility of my Google Docs?
If you have not done so yet, first install Grackle Docs.
Avoid creating PDFs whenever possible
Please note that some Grackle-recommended remediations are focused on preparing your Google Workspace files for conversion to Portable Document Format (PDF). PSU strongly recommends against exporting to PDF, as the resulting file would require additional validation and remediation in a professional PDF editing software like Adobe Acrobat Pro or Foxit PDF Editor+ in order to be accessible. Learn more about how to make your PDF accessible.
Launch Grackle Docs to run an accessibility check
- Open the Google Doc you wish to check. Ensure you are signed into your PSU Google account.
- Select Extensions (1).
- Select Grackle Docs (2).
- Select Launch (3).
- This will begin running the automatic accessibility checker on your document.
- Once your document has been checked, the Grackle Docs sidebar will appear and display Accessibility Check (4) and Document Structure (5) tabs.
- For each category that has failures or warnings, correct each issue within that category.
- Select the Re-Check (6) button at the top of the Grackle panel to confirm that you have fixed the issues.
- Repeat these steps as needed until all checks have passed.
What do Grackle Docs error marks mean?
Grackle displays accessibility checks across a range of accessibility items organized into a number of categories. Review the checks to determine what issues need to be addressed to increase the accessibility of your file.
- Fail: A red X indicates the check found an accessibility error.
- Pass: A green check means the check found no accessibility issues.You should still toggle the item to review the content for accuracy.
- Warning: A green checkmark with a white exclamation point in a red circle means the check found something that isn’t a definite failure but might still be a problem. This result requires a manual review of the issue.
How do I fix accessibility errors Grackle docs flags?
Grackle checks accessibility in several categories of items. Follow the prompts in the Grackle sidebar to review issues and correct errors.
Some Grackle-recommended remediations are focused on preparing your Google Workspace files for conversion to PDF. PSU strongly recommends against exporting to PDF. Learn more below about which Grackle checks need manual review and which recommended remediations are not applicable for accessible Google Docs.
This section checks the properties of the document. Items in this section need to be manually reviewed, even if they show a green checkmark.
- Document has a descriptive title: Verify that the file name is descriptive, readable, and accurate.
- Document language is set: English is set by default; change the language if the document is not in English
This section checks that visual content can be used and understood by all, including people using screen readers. Even if you pass the Grackle check on this section, manually review the accuracy of your alternative text and equation descriptions.
When used correctly, headings can communicate useful document structure information. Follow the prompts to correct any errors. Note: You can also use the document structure tab (details below) to scan your headings and quickly see where any adjustments need to be made.
Only simple tables (one heading row and/or column) are appropriate for use in documents. If your document has tables, this section checks if they are tagged and described.
- Tables are tagged or marked as layout tables: Tagging tables or marking as layout tables is only applicable for PDF export, and is not an accessible practice for use within Google Docs. Instead, for accessible tables in Google Docs, “pin” your header row.
This section provides guidance on lists, page headers and footers, and bookmarks. Some items in this section need to be manually reviewed or considered carefully in context.
- Headers and footers should be used: Headers and footers are not required, but if you use them, ensure they follow best practices. Content in the header and footer area is typically not read by screen readers. If you use headers or footers, consider repeating critical header or footer information in the main body if it’s critical to a reader’s understanding of the content. Use headers and footers for consistent, repeating information like document titles, dates, or page numbers.
- Lists should be used where appropriate: Grackle often “misses” flagging poorly formatted lists. Manually review your content and ensure any lists are formatted correctly using built-in bulleted or numbered list styling.
This section checks for a variety of formatting issues. Some items in this section need to be manually reviewed or considered carefully in context.
- High color contrast is used: Grackle sometimes incorrectly passes colors with insufficient contrast. Manually check any color used to ensure sufficient contrast.
- Links seem informative. Manually check your links to ensure the text is self-describing and accurate.
Clone instead of copy
To make a copy of your document, use Grackle’s Clone feature. Some Grackle features do not persist in subsequent document copies if you use the Google Copy function. Cloning your document includes all accessibility tags and options are presented for preserving comments and auto-sharing with collaborators or others who have permission to view/edit the document. Select the hamburger menu (7) in the Grackle sidebar and then Clone Document (8) to clone your document.
How do I use the document structure tab?
The document structure tab displays the reading order of your document, which is the order that elements will be accessed via tabbed keyboard navigation or read via screen reader. You can drag and drop elements to change the reading order without changing the visual appearance of the document. This can also be a quick way to scan the headings hierarchy of your document to ensure elements are nested properly.
This article was last updated .
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