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Alternate text | Graphics Tips | Graphics Library

Alternate text for graphics and images

Alternate text provides a text message to users who cannot see images and must be included for all images in your Web site. Alternate text is defined using the alt attribute of the <img> tag in HTML documents, for example:

<img src="images/web_central_banner2a1.gif" alt="Web Central logo" width="650" height="90" />

When a user views a Web page the alt text will:

  • Appear when the mouse pointer is placed over the image in Microsoft Internet Explorer.
  • Display in place of the image if the user chooses to not display images in the browser.
  • Be read aloud by a computer if the user is using screen reading software, such as JAWS (to aid visually-impaired users).

Note: To be compliant with Section 508 Web Accessibility Standards, you must use the alt attribute for all graphical elements used for navigational or content purposes. For more information please refer to the Accessibility page.

Tips for graphics and images

  • Images should be kept in a separate folder or linked from the Sacramento State Graphics Library.
  • Use .gif and .jpg graphic formats.
  • Large graphics slow down the loading of the Web page. Note: a 20K image will take approximately 7 seconds to download on a 28.8 Kbps modem. The entire page should download in 30 seconds or less.
  • Avoid overusing graphics and animated graphics because they draw attention away from your content and increase download time.
  • Re-using the same graphic throughout a Web site reduces download time because once an image is downloaded it remains in the computer's cache memory. During the browser session, the image is called from cache instead of going out to the Web site.
  • Obtain permission before using graphics produced by another person. Or, take the Four Factor Fair Use test to see if the use of the graphic may be fair use.

Note: Information about how to use and optimize graphics and images for the Web can be found at this Web site: Images for the Web - Technology Workshop.

Sacramento State Graphics Library

  • This collection includes graphics in the GIF* and JPG** formats. 
  • Please DO NOT ALTER OFFICIAL Sacramento State GRAPHICS.
  • To use any of the images in this graphics library you do not need to copy the image to your computer. Simply copy the HTML source code found near each image and paste it into your HTML document.

Disclaimer

California State University, Sacramento holds the copyright for these photographs. Permission to use them may be obtained by contacting the Public Affairs Office at (916) 278-6156. Higher resolution versions are available.

The name, marks and images of the California State University, Sacramento cannot be used to imply or suggest endorsement of any product or service not provided by the University. 

Campus Photographer: Sam Parsons

* GIF - Graphics Interchange Format: This format allows use of up to 256 colors and is best suited for line drawings, logos, animation and other simple images.

** JPEG or JPG - Joint Photographic Experts Group: This format stores more than 16 million colors and therefore works better for higher resolution, more detailed images.

Additional Graphic Resources

Media Resources

MERLOT – Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching (MERLOT)

last reviewed: January 25, 2008