Data Visualization Toolkit

Accessibility: Platform Guidance

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Data Visualization Accessibility: Platform Guidance

Many accessibility principles apply regardless of the tool being used. The sections below provide a starting point for locating accessibility features, documentation, and guidance within commonly used data visualization and reporting platforms, including Power BI, Tableau, and Excel.

For foundational accessibility concepts, refer to the Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust pages. The guidance below focuses on how those principles can be implemented within specific tools and technologies.

If you use other platforms such as Data Studio, ArcGIS Dashboards, Canva, Flourish, or custom web applications, the accessibility principles described throughout this toolkit still apply.

Regardless of platform, several accessibility practices remain important:

Color and contrast
Keyboard accessibility
Alternative text and descriptions
Data tables and alternative representations
Responsive design
Plain language
Consistent design patterns

Page Contents

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

Excel

Excel is one of the most widely used tools for creating charts, tables, and reports and includes several built-in accessibility features.

Accessibility Features

Accessibility Checker
Alternative text for charts, images, and objects
Structured tables and table headers
Accessible themes and templates
Keyboard navigation and shortcuts
Accessible chart and worksheet design practices

Recommended Resources

Power BI

Power BI is one of the most widely used business intelligence and dashboarding platforms and includes numerous built-in features that support accessible report design.

Accessibility Features

Alternative text for visuals
Keyboard navigation
Tab order and reading order
Accessible themes
Screen reader support
Mobile layouts
Accessibility-focused report design options

Recommended Resources

Tableau

Tableau is a widely used data visualization and dashboarding platform and provides accessibility features and design guidance that support more inclusive user experiences.

Accessibility Features

Keyboard navigation support
Accessible dashboard authoring practices
Alternative text and descriptions
Screen reader considerations
Dashboard organization and layout guidance

Recommended Resources

Accessibility features and implementation options may evolve over time. Refer to official platform documentation for the most current guidance and feature information.