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When uploading an image, could there be a field to input the caption inside the dialog box? This could work so that as the user waits for the file to upload, he could be typing the caption.

Add Image pop up box

Then when the following is generated, it would have something other than "enter image description here".
![enter image description here][1]

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  • 3
    That's not really a caption, just alternative text showing in case the image is unavailable.
    – Shadow Wizard Strikes Back
    May 20, 2014 at 19:12
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    Are you referring to ![image caption](<image URL>) or ![image][1] [1]: <image URL> "image caption"?
    – Werner
    May 20, 2014 at 19:26
  • @Werner first, if I understand your question correctly.
    – Celeritas
    May 20, 2014 at 19:30
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    @Troyen, it fringed my ears too, but apparently inputted is ok: english.stackexchange.com/q/30684/21975
    – brasofilo
    May 20, 2014 at 20:03
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    @brasofilo I know it's technically okay, but it was in the title and I think more people are familiar with the simpler form above. I did a quick search before editing and the general consensus all around seemed to be "yes, inputted is valid, but..."
    – Troyen
    May 20, 2014 at 20:10
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    @Celeritas, I've made an edit to your question to exemplify Werner's point, the markup result is i.stack.imgur.com/MlzZi.png The alt attribute is used to describe the image, and the title to show a tooltip when you hover the image. See HTML img tag: title attribute vs. alt attribute?
    – brasofilo
    May 20, 2014 at 20:15

2 Answers 2

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I think this is a great idea.

With the current implementation, this tool, which is the most convenient way to add images to posts, leads to a default behavior of not including an alt-text, which is an important element for readers who are visually impaired as well as for search-ability. Once the user has finished using the tool, the image is added, and the only prompt to add alt-text is some text in the post's markdown code that, most users will likely assume, will never be read by anyone. As a result, there is very little incentive and a little bit of extra friction to adding an alt-text, and therefore, most of the time, it doesn't happen.

This tool should include a text-entry box for alt-text, accompanied with some explanation along the lines of what is currently in the Markdown help for images:

The word in square brackets is the alt text, which gets displayed if the browser can't show the image. Be sure to include meaningful alt text for screen-reading software.

The explanation should link to more information about what should go in the alt text.

The alt-text field should be required, but there should be a checkbox labeled "Leave alt-text blank. This image contains no information," which, if checked, disables the alt-text field and makes it not-required.

While we're at it, it might make sense to also add an optional field for "Tooltip," so the user can do the entire image-entry process in one step, if desired.

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1

Alternatively, write the alt-text first, highlight it, then upload an image. The alt-text will be enclosed as.. the alt-text of the image.

Example:

  1. Write Add image pop up box
  2. Highlight it
  3. Click the image uploader button and upload the image
  4. The result will be ![Add image pop up box][1]1

1 Technically, it's [![Add image pop up box][1]][1] since the feature update to automatically link to the original image

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    No, the default needs to be changed. It is not difficult to change the text, but people just don't bother to change the caption. That is the power of defaults at play..
    – Neuron
    May 27, 2018 at 13:11

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