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[Help Center](/hc)/[Documentation](/hc/documentation) /[Learn DXPR Builder](/hc/documentation/learn-dxpr-builder) /[Build pages](/hc/documentation/learn-dxpr-builder/build) /[Write and design with AI](/hc/documentation/learn-dxpr-builder/ai) # Let AI write your alt text.

Let AI describe a photo as you upload it, and see where DXPR Builder keeps alt text

 Learn DXPR BuilderBuild pagesWrite and design with AI

   ## In this guide

 Related guides

- [Image generation](/hc/documentation/learn-dxpr-builder/ai/image-generation)
- [Accessibility](/hc/documentation/learn-dxpr-builder/advanced/accessibility)
- [Models and providers](/hc/documentation/learn-dxpr-builder/ai/models-and-providers)

Alt text describes a photo for screen readers and search engines. When you upload a photo through an Image element, the AI can write it for you: one click while the photo is still in the upload form. DXPR Builder then copies the text into the image's **Alt attribute**. The video uploads a campus photo and lets the AI describe it.

  ## Before you start

- AI is switched on as described in [Turn on AI in DXPR Builder](/hc/documentation/learn-dxpr-builder/ai/setup).
- The **AI Image Alt Text** module is enabled. DXPR CMS enables it for you.
- Your role has the **Generate AI Alt Tags** permission. DXPR CMS gives it to content editors, content administrators and site builders.

## Set up

1. Add an Image element to the page. Its settings dialog opens.
2. Click **Select Image**.
3. Under **Add file**, click **Choose File** and pick your photo.
4. Click **Generate with AI** below the **Alternative text** field.
5. Click **Save** to add the photo to the media library.
6. Click **Insert selected**.
7. Open **SEO**: the **Alt attribute** holds the AI's description.
8. Click **Save** in the dialog.

For an image that is already on the page, open its settings with **More** > **Settings** and start at step 2. If your site asks "Transfer image and meta data to chosen AI service?", accept it: the photo is sent to the AI service to be described.

## What you see

While the AI looks at the photo, "Generating alt text..." shows below the field. Then **Alternative text** fills with a one-sentence description. It is stored with the photo in the media library, so every page that uses the photo gets it. In the Image element, **Alt attribute** under **SEO** shows the same text; change it there for this page only.

## Where alt text comes from

| Source | What ends up in Alt attribute |
|---|---|
| A photo picked from the media library | The photo's alternative text from the library, if it has one |
| An image generated or edited with AI | Your description or instruction; shorten it to a plain description |
| Typed by hand | Whatever you type under **SEO** > **Alt attribute** |

The Image carousel element has the same **SEO** fields. Its **Alt attribute** describes the topic of the whole carousel.

When **Alt attribute** is empty, the image has no alt text at all, and screen readers may read the file name. For a purely decorative picture, use a section or column background image instead: backgrounds need no alt text.

## Settings

The AI Image Alt Text settings are at **Configuration** > **AI** > **AI Image Alt Text settings** (`/admin/config/ai/ai_image_alt_text`).

| Setting | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
| **Alt text generation prompt** | The instruction the AI follows | A prompt with rules for good alt text |
| **Image style** | Scales the photo down before it is sent, which costs fewer credits | The module's own style |
| **AI provider/model** | The model that describes the photo | **Use Default Image Vision Model**: DXPR, when you saved the DXPR provider first |
| **Autogenerate on upload** | Writes the alt text as soon as a photo is uploaded, without a click | Off |
| **Hide button** | Hides **Generate with AI** when alt text is written on upload | Off |

## Writing good alt text

- Describe what the photo shows in one or two sentences.
- Include the detail that matters on this page.
- Do not start with "image of" or "picture of".
- Be specific rather than generic.

| Photo | Poor alt text | Good alt text |
|---|---|---|
| Team photo | "Image" | "Five team members in the office lobby" |
| Open Day | "Event" | "Students touring the new library on Open Day" |
| Chart | "Graph" | "Bar chart showing 40% more applications in 2026" |

## If you don't see the alt text

- **There is no Generate with AI button below Alternative text.** The photo is not uploaded yet, your role lacks **Generate AI Alt Tags**, or no AI model can read images. Upload the photo first, check the permission at `/admin/people/permissions`, and save the DXPR provider form as described in [Turn on AI in DXPR Builder](/hc/documentation/learn-dxpr-builder/ai/setup).
- **"We could not create an Alt Text, please try again later." appears.** The AI service did not answer. Wait a moment and click **Generate with AI** again.
- **Alt attribute stays empty after Insert selected.** The photo was inserted before the alt text was saved with it. Type the text under **SEO** > **Alt attribute**, or remove the photo and pick it again from the library.

## What's next?

- [Generate an image with AI](/hc/documentation/learn-dxpr-builder/ai/image-generation): create a photo, then describe it.
- [Accessibility](/hc/documentation/learn-dxpr-builder/advanced/accessibility): more ways to make pages work for everyone.
- [Models and providers](/hc/documentation/learn-dxpr-builder/ai/models-and-providers): which model describes your photos.