area
with null alt
Screen reader compatibility
HTML
Sep 11, 2022
Expected Result: causes problems in some screen readers
Actual Result: causes problems in 135 screen reader / browser combinations
For expected failures, the results show which AT combos the failures affect. Results are recorded from the user's viewpoint, so describe the user impact of authoring errors.
Code used for this test:
<img src='1234.png' alt='' usemap='#area_nullalt_map1'>
<map id='area_nullalt_map1' name='area_nullalt_map1'>
<area alt='' coords='0,0,100,100' href='left_arrow.htm' target='frame1'></area>
<area alt='' coords='200,0,300,100' href='right_arrow.htm' target='frame1'></area>
</map>
Change History
Last updated: September 11, 2022
NVDA with Chrome Causes problems from NVDA 2018.4 to NVDA 2022.2
NVDA with IE Causes problems from NVDA 2014.1 to NVDA 2019.2
NVDA with FF Causes problems from NVDA 2014.1 to NVDA 2022.2
JAWS with Chrome Causes problems from JAWS 2018.1811.2 to JAWS 2022.2207.25
JAWS with IE Causes problems from JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2019.1912.1
JAWS with FF Causes problems from JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2022.2207.25
VoiceOver macOS Causes problems from VoiceOver macOS 10.9 to VoiceOver macOS 12.5
VoiceOver iOS Causes problems from VoiceOver iOS 7.1 to VoiceOver iOS 15.6
WindowEyes with IE Causes problems from WindowEyes 8.4 to WindowEyes 9.2
Dolphin with IE Causes problems in Dolphin SR 15.05
SaToGo with IE Causes problems in SaToGo 3.4.96.0
Screen reader | Browser | Mode | Notes | What the user hears |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Chrome 105 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go | Link, link |
![]() | Chrome 105 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link. Link. |
![]() | FF102 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go | Graphic link, left arrow. Graphic link, right arrow. Blank |
![]() | FF102 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Left arrow, link graphic. Right arrow, link graphic. |
![]() | Edge 105 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link link. |
![]() | Edge 105 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link. Link. |
![]() | Chrome 94 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go | Link, link |
![]() | Chrome 94 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link. Link. |
![]() | FF91 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go | Graphic link, left arrow. Graphic link, right arrow. Blank |
![]() | FF91 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Left arrow, link graphic. Right arrow, link graphic. |
![]() | Edge 94 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link link. |
![]() | Edge 94 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link. Link. |
![]() | Chrome 86 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go | Link, link |
![]() | Chrome 86 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link. Link. |
![]() | FF78 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go | Graphic link, left arrow. Graphic link, right arrow. Blank |
![]() | FF78 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Left arrow, link graphic. Right arrow, link graphic. |
![]() | Edge 92 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link link. |
![]() | Edge 92 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link. Link. |
![]() | Chrome 79 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go | Link, link |
![]() | Chrome 79 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link. Link. |
![]() | FF68 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go | Graphic link, left arrow. Graphic link, right arrow. Blank |
![]() | FF68 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Left arrow, link graphic. Right arrow, link graphic. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link link. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | Chrome 73 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go | Link, link |
![]() | Chrome 73 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link. Link. |
![]() | FF60 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go | Graphic link, left arrow. Graphic link, right arrow. Blank |
![]() | FF60 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Left arrow, link graphic. Right arrow, link graphic. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link link. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | FF60 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go | Graphic link. Graphic link. Blank |
![]() | FF60 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link graphic. Link graphic. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link link. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | FF48 | Reading | Has same affect as null ALT on IMG element, but hides image map | Blank |
![]() | FF48 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link. Link. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link link. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | FF41 | Reading | Has same affect as null ALT on IMG element, but hides image map | Blank |
![]() | FF41 | Tabbing | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link. Link. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link link. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | FF29 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Graphic, link, left arrow, link, right arrow. |
![]() | FF29 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read for first link, silence for second link. | Left arrow, link, right arrow, link graphic. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | No indication what graphic is, or where links go. | Link link. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | Chrome 105 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow. |
![]() | Chrome 105 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left underline arrow, image map link. Right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | FF102 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link graphic, slash left underline arrow. Image map link graphic, slash right underline arrow. |
![]() | FF102 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Graphic, slash left underline arrow, image map link graphic. Slash right underline arrow, image map link graphic. |
![]() | Edge 105 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow. |
![]() | Edge 105 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left underline arrow, image map link. Right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | Chrome 94 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow. |
![]() | Chrome 94 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left underline arrow, image map link. Right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | FF91 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link graphic, slash left underline arrow. Image map link graphic, slash right underline arrow. |
![]() | FF91 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Graphic link, slash left underline arrow dot HTM. Link, slash right underline arrow dot HTM. |
![]() | Edge 94 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow. |
![]() | Edge 94 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left underline arrow, image map link. Right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | Chrome 86 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow. |
![]() | Chrome 86 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left underline arrow, image map link. Right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | FF78 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link graphic, left underline arrow. Image map link graphic, right underline arrow. |
![]() | FF78 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left underline arrow, image map link graphic. Right underline arrow, image map link graphic. |
![]() | Edge 92 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow. |
![]() | Edge 92 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left underline arrow, image map link. Right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | Chrome 79 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow. |
![]() | Chrome 79 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left underline arrow, image map link. Right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | FF68 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link graphic, left underline arrow. Image map link graphic, right underline arrow. |
![]() | FF68 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left underline arrow, image map link graphic. Right underline arrow, image map link graphic. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Slash left underline arrow, image map link. Slash right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | Chrome 73 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, left underline arrow. Image map link, right underline arrow. |
![]() | Chrome 73 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Tab, left underline arrow, image map link. Tab, right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | FF60 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link graphic, left underline arrow. Image map link graphic, right underline arrow. |
![]() | FF60 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Tab, left underline arrow, image map link graphic. Tab, right underline arrow, image map link graphic. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Tab, slash left underline arrow, image map link. Tab, slash right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | FF52 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out, no indication of links. | Graphic, left underline arrow, right underline arrow. Graphic, left underline arrow. Graphic, right underline arrow. |
![]() | FF52 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Tab, left underline arrow, image map. Tab, right underline arrow, image map. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Tab, slash left underline arrow, image map link. Tab, slash right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | FF48 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out, no indication of links. | Graphic, left underline arrow, right underline arrow. Graphic, left underline arrow. Graphic, right underline arrow. |
![]() | FF48 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left underline arrow, image map. Right underline arrow, image map. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Slash left underline arrow, image map link. Slash right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | FF41 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out, no indication of links. | Graphic, left underline arrow, right underline arrow. Graphic, left underline arrow. Graphic, right underline arrow. |
![]() | FF41 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left underline arrow, image map. Right underline arrow, image map. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Slash left underline arrow, image map link. Slash right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | FF29 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out, no indication of links. | Graphic, left underline arrow, right underline arrow. |
![]() | FF29 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read for first link, silence for second link. | Left underline arrow, right underline arrow, image map. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Slash left underline arrow, image map link. Slash right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | FF29 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out, no indication of links. | Graphic, left underline arrow, right underline arrow. |
![]() | FF29 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read for first link, silence for second link. | Left underline arrow, right underline arrow, image map. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Slash left underline arrow, image map link. Slash right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | FF29 | Reading | image map ignored | |
![]() | FF29 | Tabbing | Wrong text read for first link, silence for second link. | Tab. Reads previous heading. Tab |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Image map link, slash left underline arrow. Image map link, slash right underline arrow. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Slash left underline arrow, image map link. Slash right underline arrow, image map link. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, slash left arrow dot HTM. Link, slash right arrow dot HTM |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, slash left arrow dot HTM. Link, slash right arrow dot HTM |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, slash left arrow dot HTM. Link, slash right arrow dot HTM |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Silence when tabbing to AREA links - no indication of image map role or name | |
![]() | Safari 15.6 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 15.6 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 15.0 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 15.0 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 14.1 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 14.1 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 13.0 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 13.0 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 12.1 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 12.1 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underscore arrow HTM. Link, right underscore arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 10.1.2 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 10.1.2 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 9.1.2 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 9.1.2 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 8.0.6 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 8.0.6 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 7.0.3 | Reading | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari 7.0.3 | Tabbing | Link URL gibberish read out. | Link, left underline arrow HTM. Link, right underline arrow HTM. |
![]() | Safari iOS 15.6 | Touch | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link. |
![]() | Safari iOS 14.7 | Touch | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link. |
![]() | Safari iOS 13.3 | Touch | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link. |
![]() | Safari iOS 12.4 | Touch | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link. |
![]() | Safari iOS 11.4 | Touch | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link. |
![]() | Safari iOS 10.3 | Touch | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link. |
![]() | Safari iOS 9.1 | Touch | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link. |
![]() | Safari iOS 8.4 | Touch | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link. |
![]() | Safari iOS 7.1 | Touch | Link URL gibberish read out. | Left arrow HTM, link. Right arrow HTM, link. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | No indication of link purpose | Link. Link. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | No indication of link purpose | Link. Link. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | No indication of link purpose | Link, link |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | No indication of link purpose | Link, link |
SortSite rules: AccHtmlAreaNoAlt
Test notes
All tests were carried out with screen reader factory settings. JAWS in particular has a wide variety of settings controlling exactly what gets spoken.
Screen readers allow users to interact in different modes, and can produce very different results in each mode. The modes used in these tests are:
- Reading Content read using the “read next” command in a screen reader
- Tabbing Content read using the “tab” key in a screen reader
- Heading Content read using the “next heading” key in a screen reader
- Touch Content read when touching an area of screen on a mobile device
In the “What the user hears” column:
- Commas represent short pauses in screen reader voicing
- Full Stops represent places where voicing stops, and the “read next” or “tab” or “next heading” command is pressed again
- Ellipsis … represent a long pause in voicing
- (Brackets) represent voicing that requires a keystroke to hear