Grackle provides three Google Chrome browser extensions that will check Google Drive files against accessibility standards, and also provide step-by-step instructions for remediating errors. Once passed, the file can be exported as an accessible PDF.
Installing Grackle
From within Google Chrome, go to one of the links below and click the “Install” button. It may prompt you to log into your columbia.edu email address if you aren’t already logged in. If it asks you to give permission to Grackle to view and edit your Google Drive files, click on the “Allow” button.
Using Grackle
The process is the same whether it’s a Docs, Sheets or Slides file.
- Open a Google file. From the “Extensions” menu, select “Get add-ons.” Search for Grackle Docs (or Sheets or Slides) and install the extension(s).
- With the Google file open, go to Extensions>Grackle Docs>Launch from the top menu bar. The accessibility report will automatically start running in the window that opens up as a right sidebar.
- Right below the blue “Re-check” button, the tool will tell you how many accessibility items passed and failed. Click on each item in the list to see additional information about why.
- A red “X” indicates a failed accessibility standard or “rule.”
- Click on the rule to see more information, and then click on the additional information provided to learn why it failed or what you need to do to fix it.
- If you have the error message expanded, you’ll see that Grackle also provides a red button labeled “Locate.” This button takes you to the location in your document and highlights the problem.
It’s important to make sure your document properties are correct, especially if your Google file may potentially be exported as a PDF. Grackle provides a “Document Properties” section where you can update information about your file such as document title, subject, author, keywords, document language, and PDF options.
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