Alt text in PDFs is read incompletely or incorrectly in the new Acrobat version.
When creating a PDF from InDesign with properly applied, long alt text (including text attached to paths), the issue appears after opening the file in Acrobat with the new version enabled and using a screen reader or the Read Aloud feature. The expected result is that the alt text is read fully, in the correct order, and without omissions, exactly as defined in InDesign. However, the observed result is that Acrobat cuts off the text after the first part, skips information, or reads it incorrectly. This problem does not occur in the classic version of Acrobat, where the alt text is read correctly, suggesting the issue is related to how the new version interprets the PDF rather than how it is generated.
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Monica Z.
commented
I am having a similar issue too. When I export a PDF from a non-Adobe Program (ArcGIS Pro) the text that is written on the document works fine with Read Out Loud, but the alt text on a graphic starts omitting words and gradually becomes incomprehensible. This is alt text with 5+ sentences.
I'm having the issue in Acrobat 2026.001.21662. The previous version of Acrobat I had (2025?) read long alt text for graphics exactly as it was written. I've also tested the same PDFs using the NVDA screen reader and it reads it perfectly too, so it seems to be an issue with Read Out Loud in the latest update.