When you post photos using the >x< app for iOS or Android, or on >x<.com, you have the option to compose a description of the images so the content is accessible to more people, including those who are blind or low-vision.
Good image descriptions are concise and descriptive, helping people understand what’s happening in an image.
This article includes instructions for composing image descriptions using:
How to add image descriptions in posts from X for iOS
Start by tapping the Post compose icon and attach your photo(s).
Note: For detailed instructions about adding photos to your posts, read this article.
On the image, tap the +Alt button to insert descriptive text.
Type your description of the image and tap Done. Tap the description again to edit it prior to posting the post. (The limit is 1000 characters.)
You can add a description to each image in a post.
Note: Image descriptions cannot be added to videos.
How to add image descriptions in posts using VoiceOver
Find the Compose post button at the top right of the screen using touch exploration.
Double-tap the Compose post button.
Find the Photo library button using either touch exploration or the right/left flick gesture.
Double-tap the Photo library button to add an image.
Use touch exploration or the right/left flick gesture to find the image to add.
Double-tap an image to add it and return to the composer.
In the composer, find the image using touch exploration or the right/left flick gesture.
While focused on the image, swipe up or down until you hear "Add description to photo" and then double-tap to add a description for the image.
Type your description of the image. (The limit is 1000 characters.)
Find the Done button in the top right of the screen using touch exploration or the right/left flick gesture.
Double-tap the Done button to add the description and return to the composer.
How to edit image descriptions in posts using VoiceOver
You can edit your image description prior to posting the post. In the composer, find the image using touch exploration or the right/left flick gesture.
While focused on the image, swipe up or down until you hear "Edit description for photo" and then double-tap to add a description to the image.
Change the description of the image. (The limit is 1000 characters.)
Find the Done button in the top right of the screen using touch exploration or the right/left flick gesture.
Double-tap the Done button to add the description and return to the composer.
Using VoiceOver for Mac with >x<.com
Open the post composer using the keyboard shortcut (press the “n” key).
Use the “tab” key to navigate to the Add photos or video button and press “enter”.
Use the file system dialog to choose the image to add.
In the composer, find the image you've added using the “tab” key. The image will be labeled according to the order in which it was added (e.g. "Image 1").
To insert descriptive text, open the thumbnail preview dialog by pressing the “enter” key while focused on the image.
Type your description of the image. (The limit is 1000 characters.)
Find the Done button by pressing the “tab” key and press “enter”, or just press “enter” while holding down the “command” key.
To edit the description, re-open the thumbnail preview dialog prior to posting the post.
Using the JAWS for Windows screen reader with >x<.com
Press the “insert” and “3” keys together to temporarily bypass JAWS' virtual navigation.
Open the post composer using the keyboard shortcut (press the “n” key).
Use the “tab” key to navigate to the Add photos or video button and press “enter”.
Use the file system dialog to choose the image to add.
In the composer, find the image you've added using the “tab” key. The image will be labeled according to the order in which it was added (e.g. "Image 1").
To insert descriptive text, open the thumbnail preview dialog by pressing the “enter” key while focused on the image.
Type your description of the image. (The limit is 1000 characters.)
Find the Done button by pressing the “tab” key and press “enter”, or just press “enter” while holding down the “control” key.
To edit the description, re-open the thumbnail preview dialog prior to posting the post.
Using the NVDA screen reader for Windows with >x<.com
Press “insert” and Space keys together to enter forms mode.
Open the post composer using the keyboard shortcut (press the n key).
Use the “tab” key to navigate to the Add photos or video button and press “enter”.
Use the file system dialog to choose the image to add.
In the composer, find the image you've added using the “tab” key. The image will be labeled according to the order in which it was added (e.g. "Image 1").
To insert descriptive text, open the thumbnail preview dialog by pressing the “enter” key while focused on the image.
Type your description of the image. (The limit is 1000 characters.)
Find the Done button by pressing the “tab” key and press “enter”, or just press “enter” while holding down the “control” key.
To edit the description, re-open the thumbnail preview dialog prior to posting the post.