Overview
Introduction
CommonLook Office is an add-in to Microsoft® Word and PowerPoint. The software leads users through the process of making accessible PDF documents.
CommonLook Office allows authors to test and correct accessibility issues in the source Word or PowerPoint file, ensuring maximum accessibility in the resulting PDF at the lowest possible cost.
CommonLook Office is simple and effective; it does not require prior knowledge of accessibility.
How to use CommonLook Office
Use CommonLook Office whenever you are ready to create an accessible, Section 508 compliant PDF file from Microsoft Word or PowerPoint.
The CommonLook process systematically reviews the checkpoints that correspond to Section 508 as well as a number of other key accessibility and usability checks. For maximum efficiency, only the checkpoints that actually apply to your document are reviewed.
Advanced users may run specific checkpoints at various stages of the document's authoring process.
It's best to start with a review of the CommonLook Office User Guide for Word and User Guide for PowerPoint.The basic CommonLook Office process follows these steps:
- From the CommonLook Office tab in the ribbon, select Create CommonLook PDF. (Alternatively select Save as from the Word menu and then select CommonLook PDF.)
- After launch the CommonLook Office panel will be displayed.
- CommonLook Office displays the first applicable checkpoint based on the contents of your document.
- Follow the instructions to complete each checkpoint. Note that some of the checkpoints may require changes to the Word or PowerPoint file.
- Once all the applicable checkpoints are complete, CommonLook Office will generate an accessible PDF document.
