HTML alt Attribute

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

🙋 Introduction

The alt attribute is a fundamental feature in HTML that is primarily used with the <img> (image) element.

The purpose of the alt attribute is to provide alternative text for browsers to display when the image cannot be loaded.

This text also serves as a description for users who may be using screen readers or have images disabled.

🎯 Purpose of alt

The primary purpose of the alt attribute is to enhance web accessibility by ensuring that users with disabilities or those facing slow internet connections can still understand the content conveyed by images on a webpage.

Additionally, it serves as a placeholder when the image itself cannot be rendered.

💎 Values

The alt attribute accepts a string value that represents the alternative text for the image.

This text should be descriptive enough to convey the content and purpose of the image.

Proper use of the alt attribute is crucial for making websites more accessible and user-friendly.

📄 Example

Let's consider a simple example of using the alt attribute with an <img> element:

alt.html

Copied

<img src="example.jpg" alt="A scenic view of a mountain landscape">

🧠 How it Works

In this example, the alt attribute is set to "A scenic view of a mountain landscape," providing a textual description of the image content.

🔄 Dynamic Values with JavaScript

You can dynamically set the alt attribute using JavaScript. This can be useful when dealing with changing content or user interactions. Here's a brief example:

alt.html

Copied

<script>
  // Dynamically set alt text for an image
  document.getElementById("dynamicImage").alt = "An dynamically updated image";
</script>

🧠 How it Works

In this script, the alt attribute for an image with the id dynamicImage is set to "An dynamically updated image." This dynamic approach can be helpful when the content of the image changes based on user actions.

🏆 Best Practices

• Always use the alt attribute for images to ensure web accessibility. This is not only a best practice but also a requirement for creating inclusive websites.
• Make the alternative text descriptive and concise, providing enough information for users to understand the image's context.
• If an image is purely decorative and doesn't convey meaningful content, use an empty alt attribute (alt="") to indicate this to assistive technologies.
• Test your website with images disabled or using accessibility tools to ensure that the alt text is effective.

🎉 Conclusion

The alt attribute is a crucial element for creating accessible and inclusive web content.

By using it appropriately, you contribute to a better user experience for all visitors, regardless of their abilities or technical constraints.

👨‍💻 Join our Community:

To get interesting news and instant updates on Front-End, Back-End, CMS and other Frameworks. Please Join the Telegram Channel:

Telegram 450

Author

👋 Hey, I'm Mari Selvan

For over eight years, I worked as a full-stack web developer. Now, I have chosen my profession as a full-time blogger at codetofun.com.

Buy me a coffee to make codetofun.com free for everyone.

Buy me a Coffee

Share Your Findings to All