Form fields in PDF documents must include their name, role, state, and value information

Rule ID: name-role-value-formfields
Ruleset: axe-pdf 2.0
User Impact: Critical
Guidelines: WCAG 2.1 (A), WCAG 2.0 (A)

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Compliance Data & Impact

User Impact

Critical
Minor
Critical

Disabilities Affected

  • Blind
  • Deafblind
  • Mobility

Standard(s)

  • WCAG 2.1 (A)
  • WCAG 2.0 (A)

WCAG Success Criteria [WCAG 2.1 (A)]

  • 4.1.2: MUST: Name, Role, Value

WCAG Success Criteria [WCAG 2.0 (A)]

  • 4.1.2: MUST: Name, Role, Value

How to Fix the Problem

Identify the name, role, and value of the form fields.

In Adobe Acrobat Pro, the Properties dialog can be opened in multiple ways, all within Forms Editing mode:

  1. Right-click a form field and select Properties.
  2. Double-click a form field or select it and press the shortcut Control + I.
  3. When you manually create a new field, click the All Properties link.

Depending on the form field, different properties of the form field can be identified in the Properties. For more detailed information, including a step-by-step process for the various fields, refer to the links in the Resources section.

Note: Adobe Acrobat Pro is the most common tool for PDF remediations, but other tools and software are also available and can be used to remediate the PDF.

Why it Matters

Providing name, role, state, and value information for all form components ensures compatibility with the assistive technology and allows users to gather information programmatically. The types of PDF form controls include: text input field, check box, radio button, combo box, list box, and button.

Rule Description

The objective of this technique is to ensure that assistive technologies can gather information about and interact with form controls in PDF content.

The types of PDF form controls are: text input field, check box, radio button, combo box, list box, and button.

The Algorithm (in simple terms)

Form fields in PDF documents must include their name, role, state, and value information

Resources

Other Resources

You may also want to check out these other resources.

Refer to the complete list of axe 2.0 rules.

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