Heading is img alt=filename Screen reader compatibility

Expected Result: causes problems in some screen readers

Actual Result: causes problems in 82 screen reader / browser combinations

For expected failures, the results show which AT combos the failures affect. Results are recorded from the user's viewpoint, so describe the user impact of authoring errors.

Code used for this test:

		<h2><img src='1234.png' alt='1234.png'></h2>
		<p>Heading 2 content</p>
	

Change History

Last updated: December 12, 2023

• NVDA with Chrome Causes problems from NVDA 2018.4 to NVDA 2023.3
• NVDA with IE Causes problems from NVDA 2012.1 to NVDA 2019.2
• NVDA with FF Causes problems from NVDA 2012.1 to NVDA 2023.3
• JAWS with Chrome Causes problems from JAWS 2018.1811.2 to JAWS 2023.2311.34
• JAWS with IE Causes problems from JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2019.1912.1
• JAWS with FF Causes problems from JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2023.2311.34
• VoiceOver macOS Causes problems from VoiceOver macOS 10.9 to VoiceOver macOS 13.6
• VoiceOver iOS Causes problems from VoiceOver iOS 7.1 to VoiceOver iOS 16.6
• WindowEyes with IE Causes problems from WindowEyes 8.4 to WindowEyes 9.2
• Dolphin with IE Causes problems in Dolphin SR 15.05
• SaToGo with IE Causes problems in SaToGo 3.4.96.0

Screen reader	Browser	Mode	Notes	What the user hears
NVDA 2023.3	Chrome 120	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2023.3	FF 115	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2023.3	Edge 120	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2022.2	Chrome 105	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2022.2	FF 102	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2022.2	Edge 105	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2021.2	Chrome 94	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2021.2	FF 91	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2021.2	Edge 94	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2020.2	Chrome 86	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2020.2	FF 78	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2020.2	Edge 92	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2019.2	Chrome 79	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2019.2	FF 68	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2019.2	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2018.4	Chrome 73	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2018.4	FF 60	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2018.4	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2017.3	FF 60	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2017.3	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2016.2	FF 48	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2016.2	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2015.2	FF 41	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2015.2	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2014.1	FF 29	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2014.1	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2012.1	FF 29	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
NVDA 2012.1	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	One thousand, two hundred and thirty four dot PNG, graphic heading level 2.
JAWS 2023.2311.34	Chrome 120	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2023.2311.34	FF 115	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2023.2311.34	Edge 120	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	Chrome 105	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	FF 102	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	Edge 105	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	Chrome 94	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	FF 91	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	Edge 94	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	Chrome 86	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	FF 78	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	Edge 92	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	Chrome 79	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	FF 68	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	Chrome 73	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	FF 60	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 18.0.5038	FF 52	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 18.0.5038	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 17.0.2619	FF 48	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 17.0.2619	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2, graphic.
JAWS 16.0.4350	FF 41	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2.
JAWS 16.0.4350	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2.
JAWS 15.0.9023	FF 29	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2.
JAWS 15.0.9023	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2.
JAWS 14.0.9002	FF 29	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2.
JAWS 14.0.9002	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2.
JAWS 13.0.852	FF 29	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2.
JAWS 13.0.852	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2.
WindowEyes 9.2	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Heading 2, twelve thirty four dot PNG
WindowEyes 8.4	IE11	Heading	Reads out meaningless filename.	Heading 2, twelve thirty four dot PNG
VoiceOver macOS 13.6	Safari 16.6	Heading	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	Heading level 2, one thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG image
VoiceOver macOS 12.5	Safari 15.6	Heading	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	Heading level 2, one thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG image
VoiceOver macOS 11.5	Safari 15.0	Heading	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	Heading level 2, one thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG
VoiceOver macOS 10.15	Safari 14.1	Heading	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	Heading level 2, one thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG
VoiceOver macOS 10.14	Safari 13.0	Heading	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	Heading level 2, one thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG image
VoiceOver macOS 10.13	Safari 12.1	Heading	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	Heading level 2, one thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG image
VoiceOver macOS 10.12	Safari 10.1.2	Heading	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	Heading level 2, one two three four PNG image
VoiceOver macOS 10.11	Safari 9.1.2	Heading	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	Heading level 2, one two three four PNG image
VoiceOver macOS 10.10	Safari 9.0.1	Heading	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	Heading level 2, one two three four PNG image
VoiceOver macOS 10.9	Safari 7.0.3	Heading	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	Heading level 2, one two three four PNG image
VoiceOver iOS 16.6	Safari iOS 16.6	Touch	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, heading level 2, image, logo other, test image.
VoiceOver iOS 15.6	Safari iOS 15.6	Touch	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, heading level 2, image, logo other, test image.
VoiceOver iOS 14.7	Safari iOS 14.7	Touch	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, heading level 2, image, logo other.
VoiceOver iOS 13.3	Safari iOS 13.3	Touch	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename and automated description read by screen reader.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, heading level 2, image, logo other.
VoiceOver iOS 12.4	Safari iOS 12.4	Touch	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, heading level 2, image.
VoiceOver iOS 11.4	Safari iOS 11.4	Touch	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, heading level 2, image.
VoiceOver iOS 10.3	Safari iOS 10.3	Touch	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, heading level 2, image.
VoiceOver iOS 9.1	Safari iOS 9.1	Touch	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, heading level 2, image.
VoiceOver iOS 8.4	Safari iOS 8.4	Touch	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, heading level 2, image.
VoiceOver iOS 7.1	Safari iOS 7.1	Touch	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, heading level 2, image.
Dolphin SR 15.05	IE11	Heading	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	Heading 2, one thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG
SaToGo 3.4.96.0	IE11	Heading	Heading image visible in browser, meaningless image filename read by screen reader.	Twelve thirty four dot PNG, heading level 2

SortSite rules: AccHtmlImgAltFilename

Test notes

All tests were carried out with screen reader factory settings. JAWS in particular has a wide variety of settings controlling exactly what gets spoken.

Screen readers allow users to interact in different modes, and can produce very different results in each mode. The modes used in these tests are:

• Reading Content read using the “read next” command in a screen reader
• Tabbing Content read using the “tab” key in a screen reader
• Heading Content read using the “next heading” key in a screen reader
• Touch Content read when touching an area of screen on a mobile device

In the “What the user hears” column:

• Commas represent short pauses in screen reader voicing
• Full Stops represent places where voicing stops, and the “read next” or “tab” or “next heading” command is pressed again
• Ellipsis … represent a long pause in voicing
• (Brackets) represent voicing that requires a keystroke to hear