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 images of maps, graphs, and charts. 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:

1. Standard Alt-Text in Alt-Text Description Box (max 120 characters)
2. Long Description in the Complex Image Descriptions Section that links back to the image being described.

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.

You need to set up your headings and the text before you can create the internal navigation.

For the Image:

• Locate the image in the text that requires a complex description
• Below the Image and Caption enter the text: Follow this link for an extended description at the end of the book.
• Style as Normal

For the Complex Image Description:

• Locate the Complex Image Descriptions section
• Create a subheading section in Heading 2 style
• Title the section Description of ___
  • e.g. Description of Map for Number of Cars Registered in 1912
• Enter your complex description in this section. See below for writing tips.
• At the end of the description enter the text: Navigate back to image.
• Style as Normal

Here is a quick tutorial of how to do this.

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.

• Locate the image for the complex description
• Highlight the phraseFollow the link for an extended description at the end of the book.
• Right click to open the popup menu
• Select Hyperlink
• This will open a popup window Insert Hyperlink
• Select the This Document tab
• Open up the drop menu for Headings
• Open up the drop menu for Complex Image Descriptions and select the sub-heading for the complex description to link to.
  • Example: Headings>Complex Link Descriptions> Description of Map for Number of Cars Registered in 1912

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:

• Locate the image for your complex description
• Place your cursor at the beginning of the body text below the Image, Caption and Follow hyperlink (this is where your return link will go to so the reader can go back to the body text.)
• Go to the Insert Menu
• Locate the Links Section
• Select Bookmark
• A popup window will appear
  • In the Bookmark name field enter an identifying name for the image, so you know what image goes with what description.
  • NOTE: It must have no spaces
    • Example: ReturntoMapManitobaVehicles
  • Select Add
• You now have a bookmark for your return link!

If it is two images above each other with no text to set the return bookmark to:

• Locate the image for your complex description
• Highlight the image
• Go to the Insert Menu
• Locate the Links Section
• Select Bookmark
• A popup window will appear
  • In the Bookmark name field enter an identifying name for the image, so you know what image goes with what description.
  • NOTE: It must have no spaces
    • Example: ReturntoMapManitobaVehicles
  • Select Add
• You now have a bookmark for your return link!

If you have any questions ask in the [public:nnels:etext:q_a|Q&A]] section.

Now that you have created your bookmark, you are ready to create your return to text link.

For the Return to Text Link:

• Locate the description in Complex Image Descriptions
• Highlight the phrase "Navigate back to image."
• Right click to open the popup menu
• Select Highlight
• This will open a popup window Insert Highlight
• Select the This Document tab
• Under Bookmarks open the dropdown menu and select the bookmark you created for the return to text
  • Example: select "MapofManitobaRoadMap"

Here is a quick tutorial showing you how to do this.

If you ever find you made a mistake and need to delete a bookmark do the following:

• Locate the bookmark you need to delete
• Place your cursor in the etext
• Go to the Insert Menu
• Locate the Links Section
• Select Bookmark
• A popup window will appear
• Click and highlight the bookmark you with to delete
• Select Delete

The complex descriptions must also follow the standard Alt-text guidelines (though it will be longer that 120 words).

• Use as few words as possible. Be clear and precise.
• Focus on the data and not on extraneous visual elements.
• NOTE: If the visual elements are important to understanding the image then describe them. If unsure, ask!
• The reader should be able to understand the description in one reading.
• Start with a brief description, followed by more specific information. This allows the reader to get the initial concept and read further if desired.
• Some content is better converted to tables than being provided in a narrative description.
• Some content presented visually can be converted to nested lists.

• Include the Name/Title of the Map and a Description of the Legend
• It is not necessary to describe types of lines/colour-coding and images when this information can be described using the information the legend conveys.
• Aim for clarity, even if detail is sacrificed. Focus on the information that is relevant in the greater context of the book.
• Ask yourself: What is this Map telling the reader? Only describe what is necessary to convey the intended meaning of the map. This will vary.

More tips on writing text descriptions for maps.

See examples on Samples of Alt Text

• Describe only the visual features that convey this meaning.
• Describe the layout of the graph before describing specific data (i.e. "A Bar Chart of …")
• Provide the most relevant information first, like what is being measured on the X and Y axes.
• Make sure what you are describing is relevant to the image. Do not simply repeat the titles and labels without providing information about what the graph portrays.
• For units, use the full word instead of short forms (ex. Use “seconds” instead of “s”) and ensure the unit is described consistently throughout the description.

For examples see Alt-Text Samples.

More info on writing extended or long descriptions:

• Long descriptions - part 1
• Long descriptions - part 2