File Mgr: Image Alt Text

If ‘banner_image’ if your file field name use a tag pair to access all the file variables:

{banner_image}
    {url}
    {title}
    {description}
    {credit}
    ...etc
{/banner_image}

https://docs.expressionengine.com/latest/fieldtypes/file.html#template-tags

The {banner_image:title} tag you used may not be configured for alt text in your specific setup. Instead, use the file_alt_text parameter if it exists or specify the alt text directly. Example: {banner_image:url}

In ExpressionEngine 7.4, when using the File Manager, you can add ALT text to images when inserting them into a Paragraph field. If the Paragraph field allows HTML editing, data science course in kochi switch to Source Mode and manually add the ALT attribute.

In ExpressionEngine 7.4, adding alt text to images via the File Manager involves leveraging the file’s metadata, but {banner_image:title} alone may not work as expected because the title field in the File Manager isn’t automatically used as alt text. Here’s how to properly add alt text:

1. Edit File Metadata in File Manager:

   • Go to Control Panel > Files.
   • Locate the image (e.g., your banner_image) and click its thumbnail or title to edit.
   • In the File Edit page, you’ll see fields like Title, Description, Credit, and Location. The Description field is typically recommended for alt text, as it’s meant to describe the image’s content or purpose, aligning with accessibility best practices (e.g., WebAIM guidelines).
   • Enter the alt text in the Description field and save. For example, if it’s a banner of a sunset, use something like “Vibrant sunset over a calm beach.”

2. Template Code for Alt Text:

   • In your template, assuming banner_image is a File field, use the {description} variable to output the alt text stored in the File Manager’s Description field. Example: html {banner_image}
   • If you specifically want to use the title field for alt text (less common, as it’s meant for file management display), you can use: html {banner_image} However, ensure the title field contains appropriate alt text, as it’s not the semantic default for accessibility.

3. Why {banner_image:title} May Not Work:

   • If {banner_image:title} isn’t rendering, it could be due to:
     • The title field being empty in the File Manager.
     • A template parsing issue. Ensure {banner_image} is a valid File field and the tag is within a {exp:channel:entries} loop or equivalent.
     • Incorrect field configuration. Double-check that banner_image is set up as a File field in your channel’s field group.

4. Alternative Approach with Custom Fields:

   • If you need more flexibility (e.g., different alt text per entry), create a custom text field (e.g., banner_alt_text) in your channel alongside the banner_image File field.
   • In the entry, fill out the banner_alt_text field with the desired alt text.
   • In your template, use: html {banner_image}
   • This approach decouples alt text from the File Manager’s metadata, which is useful when the same image needs context-specific alt text across entries.

5. Best Practices:

   • Alt text should be concise, descriptive, and relevant to the image’s context (e.g., “Company logo” or “Team meeting in conference room”).
   • Avoid using the Caption field for alt text, as it’s meant for visible captions, not accessibility, and may not align with standards like WCAG.
   • Test your output to ensure the alt text renders correctly in the HTML.

If you’re still having issues, verify that the image is properly uploaded and synced in the File Manager (under Files > Synchronize Files) and that your template is correctly referencing the field. Let me know if you need help debugging further! For more resources, check out cybersecurityvisual.