Reading Order

What is reading order?

Reading order refers to the sequence in which content is presented to assistive technologies like screen readers. In accessible PDFs, the reading order should follow a logical flow that makes sense to users who cannot see the visual layout of the document.

While sighted users can visually scan a page and choose where to focus their attention, users of screen readers rely on the reading order to understand the document's structure and content flow. A proper reading order ensures that information is presented in a meaningful sequence.

Why reading order matters

Correct reading order is essential for accessibility because:

  • Comprehension: Information must be presented in logical sequence for understanding
  • Context: Related content should be grouped together and presented in order
  • Navigation: Users need to move through content in a predictable manner
  • Efficiency: Proper order reduces confusion and time needed to understand content

When reading order is incorrect, users may encounter information out of context, miss important content, or become confused about the document's structure and meaning.

Common reading order problems

Several issues can disrupt proper reading order in PDFs:

Multi-column layouts

Content may be read across columns instead of down each column, creating sentences that jump between unrelated topics.

Sidebars and text boxes

Sidebar content might interrupt the main content flow, or be placed at the end of the document instead of where it's relevant.

Headers and footers

Page headers and footers may be read before or within the main content, disrupting the narrative flow.

Images and captions

Image alternative text might appear separated from related captions or explanatory text.

Tables

Table content may be read in the wrong order, making data relationships unclear.

Checking reading order

There are several methods to verify reading order:

Using Adobe Acrobat

  • Content panel: View the content order as it will be read by assistive technologies
  • Tags panel: Check the logical structure tree to see content organization
  • Reflow view: View content in a single column to see reading sequence
  • Read Out Loud feature: Have Acrobat read the document to hear the order

Using screen readers

  • Navigate by headings: Verify that headings appear in logical order
  • Read continuously: Listen to content flow and identify disruptions
  • Navigate by elements: Check that lists, tables, and other elements maintain proper order

Manual review

  • Compare visual and logical order: Ensure they align appropriately
  • Check complex layouts: Pay special attention to multi-column and sidebar layouts
  • Verify table reading: Confirm that table data flows logically

Fixing reading order issues

When reading order problems are identified, several approaches can fix them:

Reordering content

  • Content panel: Drag and drop content blocks to reorder them
  • Tags panel: Move tagged elements to create proper hierarchy
  • Cut and paste: Remove and reinsert content in correct order

Restructuring tags

  • Create logical containers: Group related content within appropriate parent tags
  • Separate content types: Distinguish between main content, sidebars, and supplementary material
  • Use artifact tags: Mark decorative elements that should not be read

Prevention strategies

  • Source document structure: Create well-organized source documents before converting to PDF
  • Export settings: Use accessibility options when creating PDFs from source applications
  • Simple layouts: Avoid overly complex page layouts that may confuse reading order

Best practice: Test reading order with assistive technologies after making changes to ensure the corrections are effective.

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