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How to use Grackle Docs

Google Docs stored in your Boise State Google Workplace account must meet digital accessibility standards. Use Grackle Docs to identify barriers and improve your document’s accessibility.

Get started

To begin, you will need to launch the Grackle Docs add-on in your Google Doc.

To launch the add-on:

  1. Open your Google Docs document.
  2. In the Google Docs menu, select Extensions > Grackle Docs > Launch.
  3. If prompted, select Allow or Continue in the permissions window.
  4. Grackle Docs will open in the right sidebar and begin running an accessibility check.

Grackle accessibility check

Grackle Sheets provides you with information on each section that it checks.

  • Green checkmark = passed
  • Green checkmark with exclamation = passed with warning
  • Red X = failed

Accessibility check sections

The Grackle accessibility check includes several sections. Review sections with warnings or failed checks for probable accessibility issues or barriers. Follow the instructions in the Grackle sidebar to resolve issues.

Document

This section checks that:

  • The document has a descriptive title.
  • The document language is set (English is usually set by default).
Images

This section checks the visual content. It checks that:

  • Alt text is included for images and graphics.
  • The image size is within file size limits.
Headings

When used correctly, headings create structure in a document. This section checks that:

  • Headings are used.
  • H1 is used only once.
  • Headings are correctly nested in a hierarchy.
Tables

If your Google Doc has tables, this section checks that:

  • Tables are tagged correctly with headers.
  • Cells are not merged.
  • Cells are not empty.
Landmarks

This section provides guidance on lists, page headers and footers, and bookmarks. It checks that:

  • Page headers and footers are used (optional, but can help with usability)
  • Lists are correctly marked as numbered or unnumbered lists.
Contents

This section reviews formatting issues. It checks that:

  • Unsupported contents are not used, including incompatible fonts or design elements.
  • Good contrast is used.
  • Font size is large enough to be readable.
  • All CAPS is not used.
  • Center alignment is not used for paragraphs.
  • Very long paragraphs are flagged.
  • Link text is meaningful.
Export to PDF

Grackle has a built-in feature that exports a Google Doc into an accessible PDF.

Once all issues are addressed in the accessibility check results, use the Export to PDF button at the top of the Grackle extension sidebar to create an accessible PDF.

Additional information

For more detailed information about making Google Docs accessible with Grackle, visit Boise State’s Accessibility website:

Meet Grackle Docs (Boise State Accessibility)

Need assistance?

Contact the WordPress Support Team through the OIT Help Desk at (208) 426-4357 or email helpdesk@boisestate.edu.