---
title: The Accessibility Checker (Microsoft Office)
description: "## What is the Accessibility Checker? The accessibility checker is a built-in tool in Microsoft Office that can check your documents for common accessibility errors. In addition, it will provide information on how to fix the error, works in real-time,…"
url: "https://pikespeakelearning.online/docs/the-accessibility-checker-microsoft-office/"
updated: "2024-05-02"
category: Accessibility
---

# The Accessibility Checker (Microsoft Office)

## What is the Accessibility Checker?

The accessibility checker is a built-in tool in Microsoft Office that can check your documents for common accessibility errors.

In addition, it will provide information on how to fix the error, works in real-time, and can even be left open while you work on a document.

**Note: You can get a free copy of the latest Microsoft Office [via Office 365 for PPSC](https://www.office.com).**

## What does the checker do?

Basically, the checker automatically checks your document for accessibility based on a checklist of common problems. This checklist varies depending on the product used (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

The accessibility checker categorizes detected issues as (**[according to Microsoft](https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Check-for-accessibility-issues-a16f6de0-2f39-4a2b-8bd8-5ad801426c7f)**):

- **Errors** - Errors are for content that makes a file very difficult or impossible for people with disabilities to understand.
- **Warnings** - Warnings are for content that in most, but not all, cases makes a file difficult for people with disabilities to understand.
- **Tips** - Tips are for content that people with disabilities can understand, but that might be better organized or presented in a way that would improve their experience.

You of course want to make sure your documents contain no errors, warnings, or tips (if possible); but I wanted to explain the difference between each of them.

## How to use the checker

View instructions on how to [open the Accessibility Checker](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/improve-accessibility-with-the-accessibility-checker-a16f6de0-2f39-4a2b-8bd8-5ad801426c7f?redirectSourcePath=%252fen-us%252farticle%252fUse-the-Accessibility-Checker-on-your-Mac-to-find-and-resolve-accessibility-issues-3b84295e-d55b-49f1-b443-523ec45a5232#PickTab=Windows) on Microsoft's website. This website has instructions on how to access the accessibility checker on windows, Macs, and the web version of Microsoft products.

### Finding and solving errors, warnings, and tips.

When using the checker, you will see a panel appear on the right side. It will display any errors, warnings, or tips that the document has.

![Accessibility Checker results in Microsoft Office](https://pikespeakelearning.online/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/accessibilitycheck-1-622x1024.png)

You can click on any errors or warnings to get information on how to fix them and why you should.

![Additional Information panel, in the Accessibility Checker](https://pikespeakelearning.online/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/accessibilitycheck-2-482x1024.png)

## Video Tutorial

The following video tutorial is a great overview of how to use the accessibility checker:

[https://www.youtube.com/embed/aF9iHaIR0yE?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent](https://www.youtube.com/embed/aF9iHaIR0yE?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent)

## Questions

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the eLearning department at elearning@pikespeak.edu.

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