Weekly Computer Tip # 62
17 April 2004

Adding a "tooltip" to display when moving a mouse pointer over a picture (Microsoft FrontPage)

Pictures are an important element of a Web page as they add visual interest for the visitor. Then again, this won't help users who have turned off image-loading in their Web browsers or for those using text-based browsers such as Lynx, and/or people who are using a screen reader to read the contents of the screen. However,

Did you know ...

In Microsoft FrontPage you can quickly specify text to display in place of a graphic.

Here's how:

1. In Page view on the Normal tab, add the image to your page as usual.
2. Right-click the graphic and select Picture Properties from the shortcut menu.
3. If necessary, display the General tab.
4. Under Alternative representations in the Text box, type the "tooltip" (ALT text) to display for the graphic.
5. Click OK.

When a site visitor positions the mouse pointer over the picture the alternative (ALT) text will be displayed, similar to what happens when you move your cursor to my picture on my web site's home page, URL http://www.roem.co.uk/. Some Web browsers will display ALT text while the graphic is downloading or if the displaying pictures is disabled or not available in the Web browser. I would recommend to add alternative text for images on your web pages as it also makes information about the image available to visually-impaired users relying on a screen-reader for speech or Braille output.

Finally, if you are involved in developing or maintaining a Web site - on the Internet or on your company's Intranet - then you will benefit from booking a FrontPage training course or a one-to-one coaching session. As a great believer in lifelong learning I would like to offer a 10% discount on any bookings taken prior to the annual Learning at Work Day, scheduled to take place on Thursday 20 May. Learning at Work Day is a day when up and down the country organisations show their commitment to staff development and give their workforce the opportunity to break from routine and learn something new. To benefit from the discount please mention tip # 62. Don't delay - the offer ends 20 May 2004.

Until next week.

PS I’m committed to sharing the best of what I know with others so please don’t keep me a secret. If you enjoyed today’s tip, please forward it to anyone you feel may benefit. Alternatively, feel free to reprint it (with full copyright and subscription information) in your newsletters and message boards.

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