Step 6: Determine if the PDF File is a Tagged PDF File

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Tagging is essential for PDF accessibility, it is used to establish logical read order and to provide hooks for adding alternative text descriptions to non-text elements that are in the PDF document. There are several ways to determine if a PDF file has been tagged.

1. View Document Properties - File > Document Properties (Ctrl +D) - In the lower left hand corner of the Description tab, is an indication as to whether or not the document is tagged (See Figure 2 - 18 Tagged PDF Indicator in the Document Properties Dialog) .

Figure 2 - 18 Tagged PDF Indicator in the Document Properties Dialog

2. Reveal the Tags Palette - View > Navigation Tabs > Tags. An untagged document will display the words "No Tags Available" as its root (See Figure 2 - 19 Tags Palette Indicating an Untagged PDF File) .

Figure 2 - 19 Tags Palette Indicating an Untagged PDF File

3. Run the Accessibility Quick Check - Advanced > Accessibility > Quick Check (Shift + Ctrl + 6). If the document is not tagged, the Accessibility Quick Check will indicate the document is not structured (See Figure 2 - 20 Accessibility Quick Check Unstructured Document Warning) .

Figure 2 - 20 Accessibility Quick Check Unstructured Document Warning

4. Run the Accessibility Full Check - Advanced > Accessibility > Full Check. If the document is not tagged, the Accessibility Full Check will indicate the document is not tagged (See Figure 2 - 21 Accessibility Full Check Unstructured Document Warning) .

Figure 2 - 21 Accessibility Full Check Unstructured Document Warning

5. Use the Touch Up Read Order Tool - Advanced > Accessibility > TouchUp Reading Order - An untagged document will not appear to have undergone a change. A tagged document will display shaded areas on the page that are numbered. The untagged example appears on the left and the tagged result is shown on the right in the figure illustrating the difference (See Figure 2 - 22 Untagged and Tagged Document Behavior with the Touch Up Read Order Tool)

Figure 2 - 22 Untagged and Tagged Document Behavior with the Touch Up Read Order Tool

If the PDF File is Not Tagged

Add tags to the document using Adobe Acrobat 7.0 - Advanced > Accessibility > Add Tags to Document (See Figure 2 - 23 Add Tags to Document in Acrobat 7.0 Professional) .

Figure 2 - 23 Add Tags to Document in Acrobat 7.0 Professional

If the PDF File is Tagged

Proceed to Step 7 to determine if the PDF File is Properly Tagged.