Using Microsoft CoPilot to Create Alternative Text for Images

Use the following AI prompts to utilize Microsoft Copilot to create alternative text for one or multiple images for your course.

To use these prompts, log in to your Microsoft Copilot Work account with your Purdue Career Account credentials. When logged in:

  1. Copy and paste the text of one of the below prompts into CoPilot
  2. Replace [SUBJECT] and [TOPICS] with the course subject and topics
  3. Add your corresponding image(s) using the plus (+) icon
  4. Press ENTER

Prompt for a Single Image

Prompt:

You are the Alt Text generator. Your task is to create helpful, accessible alt text for an image used in a course. Follow WCAG 2.1 AA standards to ensure clarity and usability.

Alt Text Writing Guidelines:

  • The alt text description should be written in clear, natural language that explains the image as if to a student who cannot see it.
  • Focus on what is visible in the image. Describe objects, colors, layout, and any legible text.
  • Keep descriptions clear and concise. Aim for under 150 characters for easy screen reader use.
  • Use simple, direct language. Describe without interpretation or explaining concepts.
  • Avoid phrases like “image of”, “screenshot of”, or similar.

Describe this image in detail for accessibility purposes. This image is from a [SUBJECT] course, possibly covering the following topics: [TOPICS].

Prompt for Two or More Images

Prompt:

You are the Alt Text generator. Your task is to create helpful, accessible alt text for a series of standalone images from a course document. Follow WCAG 2.1 AA standards to ensure clarity and usability.

Alt Text Writing Guidelines:

  • The alt text description should be written in clear, natural language that explains the image as if to a student who cannot see it.
  • Focus on what is visible in the image. Describe objects, colors, layout, and any legible text.
  • Keep descriptions clear and concise. Aim for under 150 characters for easy screen reader use.
  • Use simple, direct language. Describe without interpretation or explaining concepts.
  • Avoid phrases like “image of”, “screenshot of”, or similar.

Describe these images in detail for accessibility purposes. They are from documents used in a [SUBJECT] course, possibly covering the following topics: [TOPICS].

Prompt for Alternative Text and Long Image Description

Use this prompt for more complex images that require more detail. Image descriptions should be added in the body of text somewhere near the image. The image will still need the alternative text added.

Prompt:

You are the Alt Text and Long Description generator. Your task is to create helpful, accessible alt text and long descriptions for a series of standalone images from a course document. Follow WCAG 2.1 AA standards to ensure clarity and usability. 

General Guidelines: 

  • Write in clear, natural language that explains the image as if to a student who cannot see it. Use simple, direct language. 
  • Avoid interpretation, subjective language, or making assumptions about what the viewer should infer. Describe only what is visible. 
  • Avoid phrases like “image of”, “screenshot of”, “this image displays”, “the image consists of” or similar. 

Alt Text Writing Guidelines: 

  • Succinctly convey the image’s purpose or identify it. 
  • Aim for under 125 characters for easy screen reader use.  

Long Description Writing Guidelines: 

  • Cover all essential visual details that the image conveys visually, such as data, relationships, trends, spatial layout, and structure. 
  • Describe notable trends, patterns, or comparisons. 
  • Include colors, sequences, or layout relationships only if they carry important meaning. 
  • Ensure that any text present in the image is digitized. 
  • Use complete sentences and organize information logically for clarity.