Tagged PDF
What a tagged PDF is, why it matters for accessibility, and how it differs from a searchable PDF.
A tagged PDF is a PDF that contains a logical structure tree in addition to the visible page content. The tags label each part of the document by role, such as headings (H1 to H6), paragraphs (P), lists (L), tables (Table) and figures (Figure), and define the order in which the content should be read.
Tagged PDF is defined in the PDF specification, ISO 32000. The PDF/UA standard (ISO 14289) for universally accessible PDFs requires tagging, along with alternative text for figures, a document language and a logical reading order. Assistive technology such as screen readers uses the tags to announce headings, navigate tables and skip decorative content.
Tagged vs untagged PDF
| Tagged | Untagged | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Headings, lists, tables labeled | None |
| Reading order | Defined | Guessed by the viewer |
| Alt text for images | Supported | Not available |
| Reflow on small screens | Supported in some viewers | Not available |
Why tagging matters for accessibility
Without tags, a screen reader reads text in the order it was drawn on the page, which can mix columns, headers and footers. Figures have no description, and table cells lose their headers. Many public-sector and education rules refer to WCAG and PDF/UA when setting requirements for published documents.
How tagged PDFs are created
- Export from an authoring app with tagging turned on, using real heading and list styles.
- Add or fix tags in a PDF editor that supports the structure tree.
- Add alternative text to each meaningful image.
- Check the result with an accessibility checker.
Scanned pages and screenshots need OCR first, then tagging, because tags can only label text that exists.
Common mistakes with tagged PDFs
- Assuming a searchable PDF is accessible; it may have text but no tags.
- Tagging decorative images as figures without marking them as artifacts.
- Using bold text instead of heading styles in the source document.
- Skipping the document language setting.
Turning pages into a PDF?
Temposhot exports searchable PDFs with OCR from capture sessions. For accessibility, add tags and alt text in a PDF editor afterward. See save screenshots as PDF on Mac.
Common questions
Is a tagged PDF the same as a searchable PDF?
No. Searchable means the text can be found. Tagged means the text has structure and reading order.
How do I know if a PDF is tagged?
Check the document properties or the tags panel in a PDF editor.
Sources
Related resources
- Screenshot to searchable PDF: add an OCR text layer first.
- Documents export: PDF dialog options.
- PDF page organizer: reorder pages before tagging.
Taking the same screenshots again and again?
Temposhot captures a screen, window or area on a timer and exports the set as a PDF, images, ZIP or MP4. The free browser tools fix single images.
Related resources
Related terms
- PDF AccessibilityWhat PDF accessibility means, why it matters, and how to make PDFs usable by assistive technology.
- Searchable PDFWhat makes a PDF searchable, how to tell if yours is, and common mistakes when working with image-only PDFs.
- Text LayerWhat a text layer is, how it gets into a document, and why it determines whether your PDF is truly searchable.
- OCRWhat OCR is, how it works, where it's used, and common mistakes to avoid when making screenshots and scans searchable.