Grackle Docs: Document Accessibility Made Easy

Use GrackleDocs to make your Google Docs, Google Slides and Google Sheets accessible to all! GrackleDocs helps users learn about accessibility standards and can be run repeatedly as documents evolve.

GrackleDocs is an add-on to Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Slides.  When launched, it scans the current document for accessibility issues.  When the scan finishes, GrackleDocs arranges the document’s elements and structures into categories, such as:

• Document
• Images
• Headings
• Tables
• Landmarks
• Content

These categories can be seen in the GrackleDocs side panel on the right side of the screen. Elements in each are marked as either accessible or inaccessible. Changes are made by selecting and editing these elements in these categories. For example, a table does not have the header row specified with a tag. When an element is changed with GrackleDocs, it edits the tags for that element in the document. This edit is immediate and no saving is required.

To get started, view the Introducing GrackleDocs Video (5.5 mins) or GrackleDocs Demonstration Video (20 mins) for a detailed walkthrough. See the comments section below the video for clickable chapters!

• What is GrackleDocs?

  • GrackleDocs is an accessibility add-on for Google Docs, Slides and Sheets. When you launch it, it checks accessibility and guides you through remediation. Using the GrackleDocs side panel you can convert your documents to PDFs while adhering to accessibility standards. 

• How do I get GrackleDocs?

  • GrackleDocs is an add-on in Google Docs. Follow these instructions to install it:

    1. Open a Google Doc and go to Extensions. 
    2. Then select add-ons. 
    3. Select get add-ons. 
       
       
       
    4. In the search bar at the top, type Grackle. 
    5. Select GrackleDocs.
       
       
    6. Finally, select install. 
       
       

    If you have multiple Google accounts, you need to do this for all of them. 

• How do I get GrackleSlides and GrackleSheets? 

  • Follow the same steps as you did for GrackleDocs (see above), but instead do it in Google Slides and Google Sheets.

• How do I export my Google Doc as a PDF?  

  • Great question! It is essential that you use the GrackleDocs side panel to export the document to PDF. Do not use the download feature in the file tab, because the accessibility settings will not copy over.

    

• Can I use the GrackleDocs add on for multiple google accounts?

  • Yes, but like all Google Add-ons, if you’re logged into multiple accounts, the add-ons won’t work. You will need to login to only one account in your browser.

• What are some common accessibility issues that Grackle flags?

  • Some common issues found in documents are: missing headings, missing table headers, and missing alternative text for images. 

For additional support, contact support@grackledocs.com or cfeti@sjsu.edu.