iframe with fallback content Screen reader compatibility

Expected Result: works in a screen reader

Actual Result: causes problems in 19 screen reader / browser combinations

Note: Fallback content inside the iframe element was allowed in HTML 4, but is forbidden in HTML 5.

WCAG Technique: H64 Example 2

Code used for this test:

		<iframe src='1234.html' width='400' height='100'>
			This is iframe text
		</iframe>
	

Reliability Trend

This graph shows reliability over time for this code in NVDA, JAWS and Voiceover. Other screen readers don't have enough historical data yet to plot trends.

Change History

Last updated: September 11, 2022

• NVDA with Chrome Stable - OK from NVDA 2018.4 to NVDA 2022.2
• NVDA with IE Stable - OK from NVDA 2014.1 to NVDA 2019.2
• NVDA with FF Causes problems in NVDA 2022.2
• JAWS with Chrome Stable - OK from JAWS 2018.1811.2 to JAWS 2022.2207.25
• JAWS with IE Stable - OK from JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2019.1912.1
• JAWS with FF Better - caused problems in JAWS 14.0.9002, but now OK in JAWS 2022.2207.25
• VoiceOver macOS Causes problems in VoiceOver macOS 12.5
• VoiceOver iOS Stable - OK from VoiceOver iOS 7.1 to VoiceOver iOS 15.6
• WindowEyes with IE Better - caused problems in WindowEyes 8.4, but now OK in WindowEyes 9.2
• Dolphin with IE OK in Dolphin SR 15.05
• SaToGo with IE OK in SaToGo 3.4.96.0

Screen reader	Browser	Mode	Notes	What the user hears
NVDA 2022.2	Chrome 105	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2022.2	Chrome 105	Tabbing		Frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2022.2	FF102	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame, blank.
NVDA 2022.2	FF102	Tabbing	Silence when tab focus stops on iframe.	Silence. Frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2022.2	Edge 105	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2022.2	Edge 105	Tabbing		Frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2021.2	Chrome 94	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2021.2	Chrome 94	Tabbing		Frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2021.2	FF91	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame, blank.
NVDA 2021.2	FF91	Tabbing	Silence when tab focus stops on iframe.	Silence. Frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2021.2	Edge 94	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2021.2	Edge 94	Tabbing		Frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2020.2	Chrome 86	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2020.2	Chrome 86	Tabbing		Frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2020.2	FF78	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame, blank.
NVDA 2020.2	FF78	Tabbing	Silence when tab focus stops on iframe.	Silence. Frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2020.2	Edge 92	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2020.2	Edge 92	Tabbing		Frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2019.2	Chrome 79	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2019.2	Chrome 79	Tabbing		Frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2019.2	FF68	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame, blank.
NVDA 2019.2	FF68	Tabbing	Silence when tab focus stops on iframe.	Silence. Frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2019.2	IE11	Reading	IFRAME alternative content ignored, and doesn't appear in the DOM.	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2019.2	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page. Example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2018.4	Chrome 73	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2018.4	Chrome 73	Tabbing		Frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2018.4	FF60	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame, blank.
NVDA 2018.4	FF60	Tabbing	Silence when tab focus stops on iframe.	Silence. Frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2018.4	IE11	Reading	IFRAME alternative content ignored, and doesn't appear in the DOM.	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2018.4	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page. Example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2017.3	FF60	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame, blank.
NVDA 2017.3	FF60	Tabbing	Silence when tab focus stops on iframe.	Silence. Frame, example hyperlink, link. Out of frame.
NVDA 2017.3	IE11	Reading	IFRAME alternative content ignored, and doesn't appear in the DOM.	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2017.3	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page. Example hyperlink, link. Out of frame.
NVDA 2016.2	FF48	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Iframe, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of iframe, blank.
NVDA 2016.2	FF48	Tabbing	Silence when tab focus stops on iframe.	Silence. Iframe, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2016.2	IE11	Reading	IFRAME alternative content ignored, and doesn't appear in the DOM.	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2016.2	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page. Example hyperlink, link. Out of frame.
NVDA 2015.2	FF40	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	Iframe, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of iframe, blank.
NVDA 2015.2	FF40	Tabbing	Silence when tab focus stops on iframe. Focus trap on forward tabbing - only when NVDA running	Silence. Example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2015.2	IE11	Reading	IFRAME alternative content ignored, and doesn't appear in the DOM.	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2015.2	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, this is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page. Example hyperlink, link. Out of frame.
NVDA 2014.1	FF28	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	IFrame, This is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2014.1	FF28	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	IFrame. This is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2014.1	IE11	Reading	IFRAME alternative content ignored, and doesn't appear in the DOM.	Frame, This is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2014.1	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	Chrome 105	Reading	Doesn't read out fallback content.	This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	Chrome 105	Tabbing		Frame, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	FF102	Reading	Doesn't read out fallback content.	This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	FF102	Tabbing	Reads out title tag of frame source page.	Frame, example target. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	Edge 105	Reading	JAWS 15 reads out iframe fallback content, JAWS 16 and later no longer read this.	This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	Edge 105	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	Chrome 94	Reading	Doesn't read out fallback content.	This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	Chrome 94	Tabbing		Frame, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	FF91	Reading	Doesn't read out fallback content.	This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	FF91	Tabbing	Reads out title tag of frame source page.	Frame, example target. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	Edge 94	Reading	JAWS 15 reads out iframe fallback content, JAWS 16 and later no longer read this.	This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	Edge 94	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	Chrome 86	Reading	Doesn't read out fallback content.	This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	Chrome 86	Tabbing		Frame, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	FF78	Reading	Doesn't read out fallback content.	This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	FF78	Tabbing	Reads out title tag of frame source page.	Frame, example target. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	Edge 92	Reading	JAWS 15 reads out iframe fallback content, JAWS 16 and later no longer read this.	This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	Edge 92	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	Chrome 79	Reading	Doesn't read out alternative content.	This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	Chrome 79	Tabbing		Frame, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	FF68	Reading	Doesn't read out alternative content.	This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	FF68	Tabbing	Reads out title tag of frame source page.	Frame, example target. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	IE11	Reading	JAWS 15 reads out iframe fallback content, JAWS 16 and later no longer read this.	This is an, link example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Example target. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	Chrome 73	Reading	Doesn't read out alternative content.	This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	Chrome 73	Tabbing		Tab, frame, example hyperlink.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	FF60	Reading	Doesn't read out alternative content.	This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	FF60	Tabbing	Reads out title tag of frame source page.	Tab, frame, example target. Tab, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	IE11	Reading	JAWS 15 reads out iframe fallback content, JAWS 16 and later no longer read this.	This is an, link example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Tab, example target. Tab, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 18.0.5038	FF52	Reading	Reads out title tag of frame source page, and doesn't read out alternative content.	Example target, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. Example target frame end.
JAWS 18.0.5038	FF52	Tabbing	Reads out title tag of frame source page.	Tab, frame, example target. Tab, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 18.0.5038	IE11	Reading	JAWS 15 reads out iframe fallback content, JAWS 16 and later no longer read this.	Example target, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. Example target frame end.
JAWS 18.0.5038	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Tab, example target, frame. Tab, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 17.0.2619	FF48	Reading	Reads out title tag of frame source page, and doesn't read out alternative content.	Example target, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. Example target frame end.
JAWS 17.0.2619	FF48	Tabbing	Reads out title tag of frame source page.	Tab, frame, example target. Tab, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 17.0.2619	IE11	Reading	JAWS 15 reads out iframe fallback content, JAWS 16 and later no longer read this.	Example target, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. Example target frame end.
JAWS 17.0.2619	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Example target, frame. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 16.0.4350	FF40	Reading	Reads out title tag of frame source page, and doesn't read out alternative content.	Example target frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. Example target frame end.
JAWS 16.0.4350	FF40	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Tab, frame, this is an. Tab, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 16.0.4350	IE11	Reading	JAWS 15 reads out iframe fallback content, JAWS 16 and later no longer read this.	Example target frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. Example target frame end.
JAWS 16.0.4350	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Example target, frame. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 15.0.9023	FF29	Reading	Reads out title tag of frame source page, and doesn't read out alternative content.	Example target frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. Example target frame end.
JAWS 15.0.9023	FF29	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Frame. This is an. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 15.0.9023	IE11	Reading	Reads out ALT content - not seen another screen reader do this.	Example target frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. This is iframe text. Example target frame end.
JAWS 15.0.9023	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Example target, frame. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 14.0.9002	FF29	Reading	Reads out filename of frame.	Twelve thirty four frame. This is an. Link, example hyperlink. In the target page. Twelve thirty four frame end.
JAWS 14.0.9002	FF29	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Frame. This is an. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 14.0.9002	IE11	Reading	Reads out title tag of frame source page, fallback content is ignored.	Example target, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. Example target, frame end.
JAWS 14.0.9002	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Example target, frame. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 13.0.852	FF29	Reading	Reads out title tag of frame source page, fallback content is ignored.	Example target frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. Example target frame end.
JAWS 13.0.852	FF29	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Example target, frame. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 13.0.852	IE11	Reading	Reads out title tag of frame source page.	Example target, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 13.0.852	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Example target, frame. Example hyperlink, link.
WindowEyes 9.2	IE11	Reading	Stops speaking at line wraps in IFRAME.	This is an. Link, example hyperlink. In the. Target. Page.
WindowEyes 9.2	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Frame. Link, example hyperlink
WindowEyes 8.4	IE11	Reading	Reads out "Untitled" for frame name.	Untitled iframe. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. End frame.
WindowEyes 8.4	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Link, example hyperlink
VoiceOver macOS 12.5	Safari 15.6	Reading	Meaningless frame title read out.	Frame one
VoiceOver macOS 12.5	Safari 15.6	Tabbing		Entering frame, link, example hyperlink. Leaving frame.
VoiceOver macOS 11.5	Safari 15.0	Reading	Meaningless frame title read out.	Frame one
VoiceOver macOS 11.5	Safari 15.0	Tabbing		Entering frame. Link, example hyperlink. Leaving frame.
VoiceOver macOS 10.15	Safari 14.1	Reading	Meaningless frame title read out.	Frame
VoiceOver macOS 10.15	Safari 14.1	Tabbing		Entering frame. Link, example hyperlink. Leaving frame.
VoiceOver macOS 10.14	Safari 13.0	Reading	Meaningless frame title read out.	Frame
VoiceOver macOS 10.14	Safari 13.0	Tabbing		Link, example hyperlink
VoiceOver macOS 10.13	Safari 12.1	Reading	Meaningless frame title read out.	Frame
VoiceOver macOS 10.13	Safari 12.1	Tabbing		Link, example hyperlink
VoiceOver macOS 10.12	Safari 10.1.2	Reading	Meaningless frame title read out.	Frame
VoiceOver macOS 10.12	Safari 10.1.2	Tabbing		Link, example hyperlink
VoiceOver macOS 10.11	Safari 9.1.2	Reading	Meaningless frame title read out.	Frame one
VoiceOver macOS 10.11	Safari 9.1.2	Tabbing		Link, example hyperlink
VoiceOver macOS 10.10	Safari 8.0.6	Reading	Meaningless frame title read out.	Frame one
VoiceOver macOS 10.10	Safari 8.0.6	Tabbing		Link, example hyperlink
VoiceOver macOS 10.9	Safari 7.0.3	Reading	Meaningless frame title read out.	Frame one
VoiceOver macOS 10.9	Safari 7.0.3	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Leaving frame link, example hyperlink
VoiceOver iOS 15.6	Safari iOS 15.6	Touch	Fallback content is ignored	This is an. Example hyperlink, link. In the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 14.7	Safari iOS 14.7	Touch	Fallback content is ignored	This is an. Example hyperlink, link. In the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 13.3	Safari iOS 13.3	Touch	Fallback content is ignored	This is an. Example hyperlink, link. In the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 12.4	Safari iOS 12.4	Touch	Fallback content is ignored	This is an. Example hyperlink, link. In the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 11.4	Safari iOS 11.4	Touch	Fallback content is ignored	This is an. Example hyperlink, link. In the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 10.3	Safari iOS 10.3	Touch	Fallback content is ignored	This is an. Example hyperlink, link. In the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 9.1	Safari iOS 9.1	Touch	Fallback content is ignored	This is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 8.4	Safari iOS 8.4	Touch	Fallback content is ignored	This is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 7.1	Safari iOS 7.1	Touch	Fallback content is ignored	This is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page.
Dolphin SR 15.05	IE11	Reading		Frame, normal, this is an. Example hyperlink, link. In the target page
Dolphin SR 15.05	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Frame, example hyperlink, link
SaToGo 3.4.96.0	IE11	Reading	Fallback content is ignored	This is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page
SaToGo 3.4.96.0	IE11	Tabbing	Fallback content is ignored	Example hyperlink, link

SortSite rules: AccWcag1-1.1.7

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