iframe with title attribute Screen reader compatibility

Expected Result: works in a screen reader

Actual Result: causes problems in 14 screen reader / browser combinations

Firefox exposes `iframes` as focusable elements, so untitled `iframes` are read as 'blank' or the frame URL is read when they receive focus.

Other browsers (apart from Safari on macOS) don't expose `iframes` as being distinct from the page, and they're read as part of the normal reading order.

Scoring on this test is based on using the `title` attribute to suppress undesirable screen reader behavior like not indicating frame contents are present or reading the frame url.

WCAG Technique: H64

Code used for this test:

		<iframe title='This is an IFRAME title' src='1234.html' width='400' height='100'> </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 Causes problems in 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 13.0.852, but now OK in JAWS 2022.2207.25
• VoiceOver macOS Stable - OK from VoiceOver macOS 10.9 to VoiceOver macOS 12.5
• VoiceOver iOS Stable - OK from VoiceOver iOS 7.1 to VoiceOver iOS 15.6
• WindowEyes with IE Stable - OK from WindowEyes 8.4 to 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		This is an IFRAME title, frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2022.2	Chrome 105	Tabbing		This is an iframe title, frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2022.2	FF102	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, 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. This is an iframe title, frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2022.2	Edge 105	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2022.2	Edge 105	Tabbing		This is an iframe title, frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2021.2	Chrome 94	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2021.2	Chrome 94	Tabbing		This is an iframe title, frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2021.2	FF91	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, 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. This is an iframe title, frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2021.2	Edge 94	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2021.2	Edge 94	Tabbing		This is an iframe title, frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2020.2	Chrome 86	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2020.2	Chrome 86	Tabbing		This is an iframe title, frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2020.2	FF78	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, 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. This is an iframe title, frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2020.2	Edge 92	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2020.2	Edge 92	Tabbing		This is an iframe title, frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2019.2	Chrome 79	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2019.2	Chrome 79	Tabbing		This is an iframe title, frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2019.2	FF68	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, 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. This is an iframe title, frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2019.2	IE11	Reading	IFRAME title ignored.	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2019.2	IE11	Tabbing	Frame SRC URL gibberish is voiced if IFRAME has a non-empty title attribute.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four dot HTML, frame, this is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page. Example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2018.4	Chrome 73	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2018.4	Chrome 73	Tabbing		This is an iframe title, frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2018.4	FF60	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, 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. This is an iframe title, frame, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2018.4	IE11	Reading	IFRAME title ignored.	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2018.4	IE11	Tabbing	Frame SRC URL gibberish is voiced if IFRAME has a non-empty title attribute.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four dot HTML, frame, this is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page. Example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2017.3	FF60	Reading		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. This is an iframe title, frame, example hyperlink, link. Out of frame.
NVDA 2017.3	IE11	Reading	IFRAME title ignored.	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2017.3	IE11	Tabbing	Frame SRC URL gibberish is voiced if IFRAME has a non-empty title attribute.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four dot HTML, frame, this is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page. Example hyperlink, link. Out of frame.
NVDA 2016.2	FF48	Reading		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. This is an iframe title, iframe, example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2016.2	IE11	Reading	IFRAME title ignored.	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2016.2	IE11	Tabbing	Frame SRC URL gibberish is voiced if IFRAME has a non-empty title attribute.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four dot HTML, frame, this is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page. Example hyperlink, link. Out of frame.
NVDA 2015.2	FF40	Reading		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 title ignored.	Frame, this is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2015.2	IE11	Tabbing	Frame SRC URL gibberish is voiced if IFRAME has a non-empty title attribute.	One thousand two hundred and thirty four dot HTML, frame, this is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page. Example hyperlink, link. Out of frame.
NVDA 2014.1	FF28	Reading		IFrame, This is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2014.1	FF28	Tabbing		IFrame. This is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Example hyperlink, link.
NVDA 2014.1	IE11	Reading	IFRAME title ignored.	Frame, This is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Out of frame.
NVDA 2014.1	IE11	Tabbing		Frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	Chrome 105	Reading		This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	Chrome 105	Tabbing		This is an IFRAME title frame, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	FF102	Reading		This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	FF102	Tabbing		This is an IFRAME title frame, this is an IFRAME title. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	Edge 105	Reading		This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2022.2207.25	Edge 105	Tabbing		This is an IFRAME title frame, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	Chrome 94	Reading		This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	Chrome 94	Tabbing		This is an IFRAME title frame, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	FF91	Reading		This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	FF91	Tabbing		This is an IFRAME title frame, this is an IFRAME title. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	Edge 94	Reading		This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2021.2107.12	Edge 94	Tabbing		This is an IFRAME title frame, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	Chrome 86	Reading		This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	Chrome 86	Tabbing		This is an IFRAME title frame, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	FF78	Reading		This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	FF78	Tabbing		This is an IFRAME title frame, this is an IFRAME title. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	Edge 92	Reading		This is an. Link example hyperlink. In the target page.
JAWS 2020.2008.24	Edge 92	Tabbing		This is an IFRAME title frame, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	Chrome 79	Reading		This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	Chrome 79	Tabbing		This is an IFRAME title frame, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	FF68	Reading		This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	FF68	Tabbing		This is an IFRAME title frame, this is an IFRAME title. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	IE11	Reading		This is an, link example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 2019.1912.1	IE11	Tabbing		Example target. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	Chrome 73	Reading		This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	Chrome 73	Tabbing		Tab, this is an IFRAME title frame, example hyperlink.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	FF60	Reading		This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	FF60	Tabbing		Tab, this is an IFRAME title frame, this is an IFRAME title. Tab, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	IE11	Reading		This is an, link example hyperlink, in the target page.
JAWS 2018.1811.2	IE11	Tabbing		Tab, example target. Tab, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 18.0.5038	FF52	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. This is an IFRAME title, frame end.
JAWS 18.0.5038	FF52	Tabbing		Tab, this is an IFRAME title frame, this is an IFRAME title. Tab, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 18.0.5038	IE11	Reading	Reads out title tag of frame source page.	Example target, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. Example target, frame end.
JAWS 18.0.5038	IE11	Tabbing		Tab, example target, frame. Tab, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 17.0.2619	FF48	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. This is an IFRAME title, frame end.
JAWS 17.0.2619	FF48	Tabbing		Tab, this is an IFRAME title frame, this is an IFRAME title. Tab, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 17.0.2619	IE11	Reading	Reads out title tag of frame source page.	Example target, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. Example target, frame end.
JAWS 17.0.2619	IE11	Tabbing		Example target, frame. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 16.0.4350	FF40	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. This is an IFRAME title, frame end.
JAWS 16.0.4350	FF40	Tabbing		Tab, this is an IFRAME title, frame, this is an. Tab, example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 16.0.4350	IE11	Reading	Reads out title tag of frame source page.	Example target, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. Example target, frame end.
JAWS 16.0.4350	IE11	Tabbing		Example target, frame. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 15.0.9023	FF29	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. This is an IFRAME title, frame end.
JAWS 15.0.9023	FF29	Tabbing		This is an IFRAME title, frame. This is an. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 15.0.9023	IE11	Reading	Reads out title tag of frame source page.	Example target, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. Example target, frame end.
JAWS 15.0.9023	IE11	Tabbing		Example target, frame. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 14.0.9002	FF29	Reading		This is an IFRAME title, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. This is an IFRAME title, frame end.
JAWS 14.0.9002	FF29	Tabbing		This is an IFRAME title, frame. This is an. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 14.0.9002	IE11	Reading	Reads out title tag of frame source page.	Example target, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. Example target, frame end.
JAWS 14.0.9002	IE11	Tabbing		Example target, frame. Example hyperlink, link.
JAWS 13.0.852	FF29	Reading	Reads out title attribute iframe.	This is an IFRAME title, frame. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. This is an IFRAME title, frame end.
JAWS 13.0.852	FF29	Tabbing	Frame title read out twice.	This is an IFRAME title, frame. This is an IFRAME title, 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		Example target, frame. Example hyperlink, link.
WindowEyes 9.2	IE11	Reading	IFRAME title ignored, stops speaking at line wraps in IFRAME.	This is an. Link, example hyperlink. In the. Target. Page.
WindowEyes 9.2	IE11	Tabbing		Frame, this is an IFRAME title. Link, example hyperlink
WindowEyes 8.4	IE11	Reading	Reads out IFRAME TITLE for frame name.	This is an IFRAME title iframe. This is an, link, example hyperlink, in the target page. End frame.
WindowEyes 8.4	IE11	Tabbing		Link, example hyperlink
VoiceOver macOS 12.5	Safari 15.6	Reading	IFRAME TITLE attribute read.	This is an IFRAME title, frame.
VoiceOver macOS 12.5	Safari 15.6	Tabbing		Entering this is an IFRAME title frame, link, example hyperlink. Leaving this is an IFRAME title.
VoiceOver macOS 11.5	Safari 15.0	Reading	IFRAME TITLE attribute read.	This is an IFRAME title, frame.
VoiceOver macOS 11.5	Safari 15.0	Tabbing		Entering this is an IFRAME title frame. Link, example hyperlink. Leaving this is an IFRAME title.
VoiceOver macOS 10.15	Safari 14.1	Reading	IFRAME TITLE attribute read.	This is an IFRAME title, frame.
VoiceOver macOS 10.15	Safari 14.1	Tabbing		Entering this is an IFRAME title frame. Link, example hyperlink. Leaving this is an IFRAME title.
VoiceOver macOS 10.14	Safari 13.0	Reading	IFRAME TITLE attribute read.	This is an IFRAME title, frame.
VoiceOver macOS 10.14	Safari 13.0	Tabbing		Link, example hyperlink
VoiceOver macOS 10.13	Safari 12.1	Reading	IFRAME TITLE attribute read.	This is an IFRAME title, frame.
VoiceOver macOS 10.13	Safari 12.1	Tabbing		Link, example hyperlink
VoiceOver macOS 10.12	Safari 10.1.2	Reading	IFRAME TITLE attribute read.	This is an IFRAME title, frame.
VoiceOver macOS 10.12	Safari 10.1.2	Tabbing		Link, example hyperlink
VoiceOver macOS 10.11	Safari 9.1.2	Reading	IFRAME TITLE attribute read.	This is an IFRAME title, frame.
VoiceOver macOS 10.11	Safari 9.1.2	Tabbing		Link, example hyperlink
VoiceOver macOS 10.10	Safari 8.0.6	Reading	IFRAME TITLE attribute read.	This is an IFRAME title, frame.
VoiceOver macOS 10.10	Safari 8.0.6	Tabbing		Link, example hyperlink
VoiceOver macOS 10.9	Safari 7.0.3	Reading	IFRAME TITLE attribute read.	This is an IFRAME title frame
VoiceOver macOS 10.9	Safari 7.0.3	Tabbing		Leaving frame link, example hyperlink
VoiceOver iOS 15.6	Safari iOS 15.6	Touch		This is an. Example hyperlink, link. In the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 14.7	Safari iOS 14.7	Touch		This is an. Example hyperlink, link. In the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 13.3	Safari iOS 13.3	Touch		This is an. Example hyperlink, link. In the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 12.4	Safari iOS 12.4	Touch		This is an. Example hyperlink, link. In the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 11.4	Safari iOS 11.4	Touch		This is an. Example hyperlink, link. In the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 10.3	Safari iOS 10.3	Touch		This is an. Example hyperlink, link. In the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 9.1	Safari iOS 9.1	Touch		This is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 8.4	Safari iOS 8.4	Touch		This is an, example hyperlink, link, in the target page.
VoiceOver iOS 7.1	Safari iOS 7.1	Touch		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	IFRAME TITLE attribute ignored	Frame, example hyperlink, link
SaToGo 3.4.96.0	IE11	Reading		This is an, link, example hyperlink in the target page
SaToGo 3.4.96.0	IE11	Tabbing		Example hyperlink, link

SortSite rules: AccHtmlFrameTitleMissing

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