Share a word cloud with a useful text alternative

Decide whether the words carry information

A decorative arrangement and an evidence-based summary need different descriptions. If the words communicate findings, provide the essential information in ordinary text near the image. A caption can identify the source and topic, while a table lists exact values. Readers should not have to decode visual area, color or rotation to recover your message.

A short alternative such as Word cloud is rarely sufficient for an informative result. Describe the main point and tell readers where the full data appears. For a purely decorative image whose wording is already available nearby, an empty alternative may be appropriate. The correct choice depends on the image’s purpose in the document. Plan a presentation around a clear message.

Add a caption and exact values

For the three invented responses in the survey-counting guide, use a caption such as: Repeated words in three example responses, counted once per non-empty line; values appear below. Follow it with the table. This describes the method without inventing respondents, asserting sentiment or presenting demonstration data as research.

Explain that clear also appears in Not clear, and that multiple words may occur on one line. Include a short interpretation only when supported by the underlying responses. For a decorative gift with chosen weights, say that weights indicate design emphasis. Do not label those numbers as how often people mentioned the words. Reproduce the three-line example.

Keep the method with the data

The frequency tool’s text report preserves the counting mode, stop-word choices, minimum filters, denominators and exact counts. You can use it to prepare an accessible HTML table or a document section. Review the report before sharing: excluded entries can still contain personal information even though they do not appear in the artwork. Create a frequency table and report.

1. Write a short purpose-specific image description.
2. Place a caption and a normal text table beside the artwork, or link clearly to the full explanation.
3. State whether values are occurrences, response lines or manually chosen weights.
4. Include filter rules and inspect unplaced words so missing artwork does not conceal data.
5. Check the final document with the actual viewing size and accessibility tools you use.

Check contrast at the final size

WCAG’s minimum text contrast criterion uses 4.5:1 for ordinary text and images of text, or 3:1 for qualifying large text, with defined exceptions. A word cloud often mixes sizes. Treat smaller informative words cautiously, check each foreground against the actual background, and avoid using color alone to distinguish categories.

A monochrome palette can simplify the review, but it does not automatically prove sufficient contrast. Transparent artwork may be placed on a different background later. Inspect that final background, keep important words readable and prefer horizontal orientation for a simpler reading path. A separate text version remains useful even when the artwork is visually clear. Prepare a monochrome version.

Know what the export preserves

WordShapeLab’s SVG and PDF artwork uses vector outlines for consistent glyph shapes. Those paths are not selectable text or a tagged reading order. PNG is a raster image. None of these formats alone supplies a complete accessible description of a complex informational cloud; add the explanation in the document or web page where it is published.

Keep the editable JSON project for future design work and the frequency CSV or report for the values. After editing weights in the layout editor, update the accompanying data to match your final decisions. If the cloud is for a print handout, provide a text version through an available digital or print channel as appropriate. Choose an artwork export. Save the editable project.