Use AI to auto-generate alt text for images in Resources

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Misty Flowers

Finalsite's AI Alt Text Generator automatically creates descriptive alt text for images uploaded to Resources, helping admins meet ADA accessibility requirements more efficiently. The AI-generated text can be reviewed and edited before saving to ensure accuracy for your specific context.

💡Quick answers

  • What is the AI Alt Text Generator in Resources? A feature that automatically generates descriptive alt text for images in Resources using AI, reducing the manual effort needed to meet ADA accessibility requirements.
  • Is the AI-generated alt text always accurate? Not always; the AI provides a starting point but the suggested text should be reviewed and edited to ensure it accurately describes the image in your specific context, especially for school-specific content.
  • Where do you access the AI alt text generation for an image? In Resources, click on an image to open the Quick Actions Panel; the AI alt text option appears in the Alt Text field area.
  • Does using AI-generated alt text meet ADA Title II requirements? It helps, but human review is still recommended; alt text must accurately describe the image for screen reader users, and the AI may not capture context specific to your school community.

Finalsite now offers an AI Alt Text Generator, a new accessibility feature that automatically generates alt text for images uploaded to the Resources module. Using AI-powered image recognition, the AI Alt Text Generator helps schools maintain ongoing accessibility, reduce manual content management work, and ensure inclusive access for all users. It can also be used to scan and update existing media libraries in bulk, bringing all images into accessibility compliance.

🚨Compliance Extension Update: ADA Title II

Per the April 2026 Department of Justice (DOJ) Interim Final Rule, compliance dates for the ADA Title II mandate have been extended by one year. All school district web content, including PDFs and electronic documents, must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards by these revised deadlines:

  • Districts 50,000+: Must be compliant by April 26, 2027.
  • Districts < 50,000 & Special Districts: Must be compliant by April 26, 2028.

To learn more about how Finalsite is helping our users reach compliance under this new timeline, check out the article, "ADA WCAG 2.1 Accessibility at Finalsite."

⚠️ Important Note

The AI alt text generator and instructions in this article apply only to images stored in Resources. If you are looking for information on how alt text works for constituent profile images for staff directories, these are stored in File Manager. Please see our dedicated section, "Add alt text to constituent profile images in File Manager" to learn how these work.

In this article

What is alt text and why it matters

Alt text is a short description of an image that helps screen readers convey visual content to users with visual impairments. It also improves Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and supports compliance with WCAG 2.1 (AA) accessibility standards.

How it works

When you upload an image to Resources, AI will analyze the image and generate a suggested alt text description. You can review and edit this suggestion before saving.

This feature is designed to:

  • automatically create descriptive alt text for uploaded images
  • help your site meet accessibility standards
  • improve SEO with meaningful image descriptions
  • reduce the time spent writing alt text manually

Important Notes

  • AI-generated alt text may not always be contextually perfect. Always review and adjust as needed.
  • The Alt Text field is visible during upload and remains editable afterward.
  • For best results, use clear, descriptive language that reflects the image’s purpose on the page.
  • The recommended length for alt text is 125 characters, while the maximum is 500 characters.
  • For best practices on writing alt text, visit Best Practice: Writing alt text for images.

Start auto-generating with AI! 

Here are some step-by-step instructions for generating alt text for individual resources or in bulk. Need help uploading files first? Learn more about how the Resources module works in the article, "Add a resource."

Upload a single resource with alt text

  • Step 1: Go to the Resources module
  • Step 2: Upload a new image
  • Step 3: Review the alt text
    • In the Edit Resource Details window, you will automatically see the alt text that was generated for the image. Review the auto-generated description and edit if needed.
  • Step 4: Save your changes

Alt text auto-generates when uploading a single image.png

Upload multiple resources in bulk with alt text

  • Step 1: Go to the Resources module
  • Step 2: Select multiple files to upload
  • Step 3: In the Bulk Upload window, select the Generate AI captions for images checkbox to generate alt text for all uploaded images.
  • Step 4: Save your changes

Generate AI captions for images when uploading in bulk.png

Edit auto-generated alt text

To view and modify AI-generated alt text, select an uploaded resource and scroll down to the Alt Text field in the Resources Quick Panel to edit and/or regenerate the alt text.

Auto-generate & regenerate alt text for existing resources

Generate alt text for a single resource

  • Step 1: Go to the Resources module
  • Step 2: Locate an image without alt text
    • Select an existing image that does not have alt text.
    • Use the Not Alt Text filter in the All Resources view to find images without alt text.
  • Step 3: Navigate to the Alt Text field
    • In the Resources Quick Panel, scroll down to the Alt Text field
  • Step 4: Click Generate Alt Text
  • Step 5: Review, edit, and/or regenerate alt text
    • Review the auto-generated description and edit if needed.
    • Click Regenerate Alt Text to generate a new description.

generate alt text and regenerate alt text buttons.png

Generate alt text for existing resources in bulk

  • Step 1: Navigate to Resources > Settings
  • Step 2: Find the number of images without alt text
    • Under Resources in Resource Elements, a yellow box displays the number of uploaded images without alt text.
  • Step 3: Auto-generate alt text in bulk
    • Click Generate Alt Text to use AI to auto-generate alt text for these images in bulk.
    • Look for an email notifying you that the process has been completed. Depending on the number of resources that need alt text generated, it may take a while for the process to complete.

GIF for how to retroactivetly generate alt text in bulk.gif

Regenerate alt text when replacing a resource

Alt-text regeneration is supported even when utilizing the Replace resources feature.

  • Step 1: Go to the Resources module
  • Step 2: Select the resource you want to replace
  • Step 3: Click the icon to replace this resource
  • Step 4: Generate new alt text
    • Select the Update alt text with AI checkbox in the Replace Successful window to generate new alt text.

Update alt text when replacing an resource.png

FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of AI-generated alt text? 
A: This feature uses AI-powered analysis to automatically create descriptive text for your images. This improves site accessibility for users with visual impairments, supports SEO, and helps your school stay compliant with WCAG 2.1 (AA) standards.

Q: Can I use this feature for images I’ve already uploaded? 
A: Yes. You can generate alt text for single existing images via the Resources Quick Panel, or use the Bulk Generation tool found in Resources > Settings to scan all images currently missing alt text.

Q: What happens if I don't like the description the AI provides? 
A: You have full control. You can manually edit the text in the Alt Text field, or click Regenerate Alt Text to have the AI try a different description.

Q: Is there a limit to how long the alt text should be? 
A: While the maximum character limit is 500 symbols, the recommended length for the best accessibility and SEO results is 125 symbols.

Q: When should I check the "Decorative image" box? 
A: Check this box if the image is purely for visual flair and does not add meaningful information to the page (like a background pattern or a divider). This tells screen readers to skip the image, so no alt text is required.

Q: Will I be notified when my bulk upload alt text is finished? 
A: Yes. When using the bulk generation tool for pre-existing images, you will receive an email confirmation once the process is complete.

Q: Can I undo a bulk creation of AI-generated alt text? 
A: No, there is currently no "Undo" or "Revert" button once the bulk generation process has been completed and saved. Because the AI writes the description directly to the image record, we recommend reviewing your high-traffic images after a bulk run to ensure the descriptions match your specific context.

Q: If I don't like the bulk results, how can I fix them? 
A: While you cannot undo the entire batch, you can easily identify and update images that need a human touch:

  • Use the filter: In the Resources module, use the "Has Alt Text" filter to see every image the AI just updated.
  • Regenerate: If a description is off, click Regenerate Alt Text on that specific image for a new AI suggestion.
  • Manual edit: You can always click into the Alt Text field and type your own description to ensure 100% accuracy.
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