Manually Tagging Lists within PDFs for Accessibility

Ensuring the accessibility of documents is essential for creating inclusive digital experiences. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of manually tagging lists in PDFs using Adobe Acrobat Pro, creating a well-structured and accessible document.

Video Guide

List tag breakdown

1. List Parent Tag <L>
2. List Item Child Tag <LI>
3. Label <Lbl>
4. List Body child Tag <LBody>
5. Contents of First list item
6. List item content on page

Prepare the PDF and Create a Blank List Tag

Open your PDF document in Adobe Acrobat Pro.

1. Right-click in the Tags panel
2. Select “New Tag,”
3. Create a blank List tag (capital “L”).

Create List Item Tags and Nest Them

Manually create list item (LI) tags and nest them within the List tag. To do this, right-click the List tag, select “New Tag,” and type “LI” (capital “L” and “I”).

Add Label and LBody Tags

For each LI tag, create Label (LBL) and L Body tags. Right-click each LI tag, select “New Tag,” and type “Lbl” for Label and “LBody” for LBody tags. Drag and drop these tags into their appropriate locations within the LI tags.

Create Tags from Selections for List Items and Nested Lists

Select the appropriate tag in the Tags panel, highlight the corresponding content in the document, and use the “Create Tag from Selection” option from the Options menu in the Tags pane. Repeat this process for each list item and nested list.

Download the Free Section 508 Checklist for PDF Accessibility:

Create a Nested List Structure

For nested lists, create a new List tag structure within the L Body tag of the parent list item. Create new LI tags for each nested list item, then add Label and L Body tags as before.

Review the Tag Structure and Run the Accessibility Checker

Review the tag structure to ensure all list items and nested lists are properly tagged. Run the Accessibility Checker to identify any missing content or issues.

Fix Missing Content and Rerun the Accessibility Checker

If the Accessibility Checker identifies missing content, use the Reading Order tool or the Tags panel to correct the issue. Rerun the Accessibility Checker to confirm that the document is now accessible.

Enhancing Accessibility through Manually Tagging Lists in PDFs

Manually tagging lists in PDFs using Adobe Acrobat Pro ensures your documents are well-structured and accessible for all users. By following these steps, you can create an inclusive digital experience that adheres to accessibility standards.

Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!