Alt attribute in HTML image code

[garethjmsaunders]

In WeBuilder 2006 when you drag and drop an image file from the File Explorer into an HTML document it automatically inserts the appropriate code, e.g.

<img src="image.gif" width="45" height="45" border="0" />

Any chance that this could include a blank alt attribute (alt="") so that my code validates immediately and reminds me (and other users) to include an accessible alternative text description?

So it would insert something like

<img src="image.gif" width="45" height="45" border="0" alt="" />

Thanks

Gareth

[ebarstad]

I second this. The border attribute should be removed, though. I'd also like it if it automatically placed the file name in the alt attribute. Using the example above:

Code: Select all

<img src="image.gif" width="45" height="45" alt="image" />

[garethjmsaunders]

Fair point about the border attribute as this should be styled with CSS. However, I'm not convinced that the file name as the value for the alt attribute is satisfactory.

This is from the W3C (http://www.w3.org/QA/Tips/altAttribute):

What should I put in my alt attribute?

The generic rule for the content of the alt attribute is: use text that fulfills the same function as the image.

Some more specific rules:

• if the image is simply decorated text , put the text in the alt attribute
• if the image is used to create bullets in a list, a horizontal line, or other similar decoration, it is fine to have an empty alt attribute (e.g., alt=""), but it is better to use things like list-style-image in CSS
• if the image presents a lot of important information, try to summarize it in a short line for the alt attribute and add a longdesc link to a more detailed description

Unless you name your images with long, highly descriptive filenames I'm not convinced that this approach would suffice. Best to leave the alt attribute's value empty and allow users to use their judgement to provide the most suitable text in my opinion.

[syrupcore]

yay!

see karlis, I'm not crazy.

totally agree that auto inserting the file name into the alt attribute is a bad bad idea. I'd just have to delete it every time because it doesn't help anyone - except it'll help developers become lazy and that's what we're trying to get away from!

I usually just let the border attribute stay in there while building the page and then do a find and replace from border="0" to alt="" .

I understand that a lot of people find the border="0" attribute useful (including the man himself) but if the doctype is strict then it shouldn't be included.

will

[kfury77]

I fourth this idea! I'd really like to see this in WeBuilder 2007

[snake*sl]

Me, too! Better alt="" instead of border="0".

[Karlis]

Ok, I shall add this but if I receive complaints I will remove it again As for the border="0" I dunno... maybe that should be removed.

Personally I hate chasing vaildity. For me the main thing is that the code is clean and that it works

[syrupcore]

As for the border="0" I dunno... maybe that should be removed.

Please, dump it! :D

chasing validation may be a waste of time for some but understand that some of us create sites for clients who demand it - there is no choice in the matter (if we wanna eat ;).