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The Complex Image Descriptions
section goes near the end of the book, and it is where you place your complex descriptions.
We create longer, complex descriptions for any image that contains complex information or data. Common examples are Maps, Graphs, Charts and Diagrams. We can also create longer, complex descriptions when we need to transcribe an image, such as an image of a letter. If you are not sure if your image requires a complex description, ask in the Q&A Section.
For images that require more complex or extended descriptions we create two descriptions:
See the link below the image for an extended description.
Section title is Complex Image Descriptions. Apply Heading Style 1
to heading. Place the section in the back matter of the book before the Terms of Use section.
See the link below the image for an extended description.
You need to set up your headings and the text before you can create the internal navigation.
For the Image:
Follow this link for an extended description at the end of the book.
Normal
Follow this link for an extended description at the end of the book.
Body text of book.
For the Complex Image Description:
Heading 2
styleDescription of ___
Navigate back to image.
Normal
Example
Complex Image Descriptions [heading 1]
Below you will find the complex descriptions for images in the text. [Normal]
Description of Map for Number of Cars Registered in 1912 [heading 2]
Map depicting vehicle ownership in Southern Manitoba. The title of the map reads: Number of Cars Registered in 1912. There is a legend that shows red circles of increasing size with a white car icon in the center of the circle. Each circle represents a number of cars. The smallest circle is 1-5, then next size up is 6-10, then 11-25, then 26-100, then 101-1000 then 1001-2025.
The map shows Manitoba with all the major cities and towns labelled with a variety of different sized red circles, mainly over the southern part of the province. The main areas are highlighted as follows: Winnipeg, represented by the circle for 1001-2025 cars, and Brandon, represented by the circle for 101-1000 cars, have the largest circles. Dauphin, Virden, Neepawa, Carberry, Portage La Prairie are represented by the circle for 26-100 cars. Russell, Minnedosa, Gladstone, Souris, Deloraine, Boissevain, Crystal City, Morden, and Winkler are represented by the circle for 6-10 cars. [Normal]
Navigate back to image.[Normal]
Now that you have set up the Headings and text you are ready to create the navigation for this section by using the Bookmark and Internal Links features.
First you will need to create your link
to the description section.
Follow the link for an extended description at the end of the book.
Hyperlink
Insert Hyperlink
This Document
tabHeadings
Complex Image Descriptions
and select the sub-heading for the complex description to link to.This will create your link from the image to the correct description sub-heading in the Complex Image Descriptions section.
Next you will need to set up the return link.
First insert a bookmark
as an anchor for the return link.
For the Return Link Bookmark:
Insert
MenuLinks
SectionBookmark
Bookmark name
field enter an identifying name for the image, so you know what image goes with what description.Add
If you have any questions ask in the Q and A section.
Now that you have created your bookmark, you are ready to create your return to image link.
For the Return to Image Link:
Highlight
Insert Highlight
This Document
tabBookmarks
open the dropdown menu and select the bookmark you created for the return to imageHere is a quick tutorial showing you how to do this.
For Window's PC
: Open the Options Dialogue box through File>Options and select the Advanced section. Scroll down to Show Document Content section and make sure Bookmarks
is selected. Click OK. You will now see a square bracket beside the location of your bookmark.
For Mac
: Open the Words Preferences box through Word>Preferences and select View. Make sure Bookmarks
is selected. Close the window. You will now see a square bracket beside the location of your bookmark.
If you ever find you made a mistake and need to delete a bookmark do the following:
Insert
MenuLinks
SectionBookmark
Delete
Remember to include a basic Alt-text description for the image itself along with a note that the reader can find a longer description in another location of the book. Simply enter the sentence See the link below the image for an extended description.
at the end of the Alt-text. This way readers are aware there is a longer description.
We also do this because all non-decorative images require alt-text, even if a long description is also provided.
Empty Alt-tags in non-decorative images can be confusing to the reader, and leave out part of the experience of reading.
When creating a complex description work from the general to the specific: provide an overview of the image before you describe specific details.
A good strategy is to break the image up into its component parts, and then organize them so that the description makes logical sense.
Long descriptions can seem overwhelming at first, but if you follow this advice they become easier.
The complex descriptions must also follow the standard Alt-text guidelines (though it will be longer that 2-3 sentences).
More tips on writing text descriptions for maps.
See examples on Samples of Alt Text
For examples see Alt-Text Samples.
Some images with text will need a long description.
Follow the same rules as for other long descriptions.
The Alt text itself will be a brief description of the image without transcribing the text.
The text will be transcribed into the long description.
Make a note in the Alt text that the transcription can be found in the longer description.
For examples see Alt-Text Samples.
More info on writing extended or long descriptions: