---
name: kb-help-url-reference
description: "Reference data, not a reviewer. Map accessibility findings to help resources: axe-core to Accessibility Insights, document rules to Microsoft Office/Adobe, WCAG criteria to W3C Understanding documents."
license: MIT
disable-model-invocation: true
user-invocable: false
metadata:
  tier: reference
  domain: cross-cutting
  output: none
  effort: low
  title: Help Url Reference
---

## Help URL Reference

Centralized mapping of accessibility rule IDs and WCAG criteria to external help documentation. Used by CSV reporters, audit report generators, and any agent that links findings to remediation guidance.

## Accessibility Insights (Web Accessibility)

### axe-core Rule URL Pattern

```text
Base URL: https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/
Pattern:  {base_url}{rule-id}
Example:  https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/image-alt/
```

For an axe-core rule, construct the URL by appending the rule ID to the base URL. If Accessibility Insights has no page for a rule, use the `helpUrl` axe itself returns, which has the form `https://dequeuniversity.com/rules/axe/<major.minor>/<rule-id>` (for axe-core 4.14, `https://dequeuniversity.com/rules/axe/4.14/image-alt`).

The WCAG column follows the tags in axe-core 4.14.0. Rules axe tags `best-practice` are not WCAG failures on their own; report them with `wcag` set to `n/a` unless a person confirms a criterion failure.

### Common axe-core Rules

Each rule ID, with its issue, WCAG and help URL.

| Rule ID | Issue | WCAG | Help URL |
|---------|-------|------|---------------|
| `image-alt` | Image missing alternative text | 1.1.1 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/image-alt/` |
| `button-name` | Button has no accessible name | 4.1.2 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/button-name/` |
| `color-contrast` | Text has insufficient contrast | 1.4.3 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/color-contrast/` |
| `label` | Form element has no label | 4.1.2 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/label/` |
| `link-name` | Link has no discernible text | 2.4.4, 4.1.2 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/link-name/` |
| `html-has-lang` | Page missing lang attribute | 3.1.1 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/html-has-lang/` |
| `document-title` | Page missing title | 2.4.2 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/document-title/` |
| `heading-order` | Heading levels skipped | best practice (relates to 1.3.1) | `https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/info-and-relationships.html` |
| `aria-roles` | Invalid ARIA role | 4.1.2 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/aria-roles/` |
| `aria-required-attr` | Missing required ARIA attribute | 4.1.2 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/aria-required-attr/` |
| `aria-valid-attr` | Invalid ARIA attribute | 4.1.2 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/aria-valid-attr/` |
| `bypass` | No skip navigation link | 2.4.1 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/bypass/` |
| `region` | Content not in landmark | best practice (relates to 1.3.1) | `https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/info-and-relationships.html` |
| `tabindex` | Positive tabindex used | best practice (relates to 2.4.3) | `https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/focus-order.html` |
| `duplicate-id-aria` | ID referenced by ARIA or a label is not unique | 4.1.2 | `https://dequeuniversity.com/rules/axe/4.14/duplicate-id-aria` |
| `focus-order-semantics` | Focus order issue | best practice, experimental (relates to 2.4.3) | `https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/focus-order.html` |
| `input-image-alt` | Input image missing alt | 1.1.1, 4.1.2 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/input-image-alt/` |
| `meta-viewport` | Viewport disables zoom | 1.4.4 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/meta-viewport/` |
| `select-name` | Select element has no label | 4.1.2 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/select-name/` |
| `autocomplete-valid` | Invalid autocomplete value | 1.3.5 | `https://accessibilityinsights.io/info-examples/web/autocomplete-valid/` |
| `target-size` | Touch target too small | 2.5.8 | `https://dequeuniversity.com/rules/axe/4.14/target-size` |

`duplicate-id` and `duplicate-id-active` are deprecated in axe-core and tagged for the obsolete 4.1.1 Parsing. Do not report them as WCAG 2.2 failures; `duplicate-id-aria` covers the duplicate IDs that still break names and relationships. `target-size` is off by default; it runs when selected by tag (such as `wcag22aa`) or enabled explicitly.

### W3C/WAI Topic Pages (Non-axe Issues)

For agent-detected issues without axe-core rule IDs, use these W3C/WAI pages:

| Topic | URL |
|-------|-----|
| Focus management | `https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/focus-order.html` |
| Live regions | `https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/status-messages.html` |
| Modal dialogs | `https://www.w3.org/WAI/ARIA/apg/patterns/dialog-modal/` |
| Data tables | `https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/tables/` |

## Microsoft Office (Document Accessibility)

### Word (DOCX) Rules

> Rule IDs match the canonical definitions in the `word-accessibility` format agent.

| Rule ID | Issue | Help URL |
|---------|-------|----------|
| `DOCX-E001` | Missing alt text on images | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/office-accessibility/add-alternative-text-to-a-shape-picture-chart-smartart-graphic-or-other-object` |
| `DOCX-E002` | Missing table header row | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_tableheaders_win` |
| `DOCX-E003` | Skipped heading levels | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_builtinheadings_win` |
| `DOCX-E004` | Missing document title | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities` |
| `DOCX-E005` | Merged or split table cells | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_avoid_tables_win` |
| `DOCX-E006` | Ambiguous hyperlink text | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_links_and_screentips_win` |
| `DOCX-E007` | No heading structure | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_builtinheadings_win` |
| `DOCX-E008` | Document access restricted (IRM) | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities` |
| `DOCX-E009` | Content controls without titles | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities` |
| `DOCX-W001` | Nested tables | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_avoid_tables_win` |
| `DOCX-W002` | Long alt text (>150 chars) | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/office-accessibility/everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-effective-alt-text` |
| `DOCX-W003` | Manual list characters | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_createlists_win` |
| `DOCX-W004` | Blank table rows for spacing | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_avoid_tables_win` |
| `DOCX-W005` | Heading exceeds 100 characters | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_builtinheadings_win` |
| `DOCX-W006` | Watermark present | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities` |
| `DOCX-T001` | Missing document language | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities` |
| `DOCX-T002` | Layout table with header markup | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_tableheaders_win` |
| `DOCX-T003` | Repeated blank characters | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/word/make-your-word-documents-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_textspacing_win` |

### Excel (XLSX) Rules

> Rule IDs match the canonical definitions in the `excel-accessibility` format agent.

| Rule ID | Issue | Help URL |
|---------|-------|----------|
| `XLSX-E001` | Missing alt text on images/charts | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/office-accessibility/add-alternative-text-to-a-shape-picture-chart-smartart-graphic-or-other-object` |
| `XLSX-E002` | Missing table header row | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/excel/accessibility-best-practices-with-excel-spreadsheets` |
| `XLSX-E003` | Default sheet names | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/excel/accessibility-best-practices-with-excel-spreadsheets#bkmk_renamesheet_win` |
| `XLSX-E004` | Merged cells in data tables | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/excel/accessibility-best-practices-with-excel-spreadsheets` |
| `XLSX-E005` | Ambiguous hyperlink text | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/excel/accessibility-best-practices-with-excel-spreadsheets#bkmk_links_and_screentips_win` |
| `XLSX-E006` | Missing workbook title | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/excel/accessibility-best-practices-with-excel-spreadsheets` |
| `XLSX-E007` | Red-only negative number formatting | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/excel/accessibility-best-practices-with-excel-spreadsheets#bkmk_fontformatandcolor_win` |
| `XLSX-E008` | Workbook access restricted (IRM) | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/excel/accessibility-best-practices-with-excel-spreadsheets` |
| `XLSX-W001` | Blank cells used for formatting | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/excel/accessibility-best-practices-with-excel-spreadsheets` |
| `XLSX-W002` | Color-only data differentiation | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/excel/accessibility-best-practices-with-excel-spreadsheets#bkmk_fontformatandcolor_win` |
| `XLSX-W003` | Complex table structure | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/excel/accessibility-best-practices-with-excel-spreadsheets` |
| `XLSX-W004` | Empty worksheet | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/excel/accessibility-best-practices-with-excel-spreadsheets#bkmk_deletesheets_win` |
| `XLSX-W005` | Long alt text (>150 chars) | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/office-accessibility/everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-effective-alt-text` |
| `XLSX-T001` | Sheet tab order not logical | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/excel/accessibility-best-practices-with-excel-spreadsheets#bkmk_renamesheet_win` |
| `XLSX-T002` | Missing named ranges | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/excel/accessibility-best-practices-with-excel-spreadsheets` |
| `XLSX-T003` | Missing workbook language | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/excel/accessibility-best-practices-with-excel-spreadsheets` |

### PowerPoint (PPTX) Rules

> Rule IDs match the canonical definitions in the `powerpoint-accessibility` format agent.

| Rule ID | Issue | Help URL |
|---------|-------|----------|
| `PPTX-E001` | Missing alt text on images | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/office-accessibility/add-alternative-text-to-a-shape-picture-chart-smartart-graphic-or-other-object` |
| `PPTX-E002` | Missing slide titles | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_titlewin` |
| `PPTX-E003` | Duplicate slide titles | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_titlewin` |
| `PPTX-E004` | Missing table header row | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_headerswin` |
| `PPTX-E005` | Ambiguous hyperlink text | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_winhyperlinksaccessible` |
| `PPTX-E006` | Incorrect reading order | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_readingorderwin` |
| `PPTX-E007` | Presentation access restricted (IRM) | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities` |
| `PPTX-W001` | Missing presentation title | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities` |
| `PPTX-W002` | Tables used for layout | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_tableswin` |
| `PPTX-W003` | Merged table cells | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_tableswin` |
| `PPTX-W004` | Audio/video without captions | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_winvideo` |
| `PPTX-W005` | Color-only meaning | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities#bkmk_fontcolorwin` |
| `PPTX-W006` | Long alt text (>150 chars) | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/office-accessibility/everything-you-need-to-know-to-write-effective-alt-text` |
| `PPTX-T001` | Missing section names | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities` |
| `PPTX-T002` | Excessive animations | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities` |
| `PPTX-T003` | Missing slide notes | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities` |
| `PPTX-T004` | Missing presentation language | `https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/powerpoint/make-your-powerpoint-presentations-accessible-to-people-with-disabilities` |

## Adobe PDF

Each rule ID, with its issue and help URL.

| Rule ID | Issue | Help URL |
|---------|-------|----------|
| `PDFUA.01.001` | Document not tagged | `https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/creating-accessible-pdfs.html#creating_a_tagged_pdf_from_an_authoring_application` |
| `PDFBP.META.TITLE_PRESENT` | Missing document title | `https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.html` |
| `PDFUA.06.001` | Missing document language | `https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.html` (section: Document language) |
| `PDFBP.NAV.BOOKMARKS_FOR_LONG_DOCS` | Missing bookmarks | `https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.html` (section: Bookmarks) |
| `PDFUA.13.001` | Missing alt text | `https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.html` |
| `PDFUA.19.001` | Missing table headers | `https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/editing-document-structure-content-tags.html` |
| `PDFBP.STRUCT.READING_ORDER` | Incorrect reading order | `https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/touch-reading-order-tool-pdfs.html` (section: Check and correct reading order) |
| `PDFUA.07.001` | Heading structure issues | `https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/editing-document-structure-content-tags.html` |
| `PDFUA.20.001` | Missing list tags | `https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/editing-document-structure-content-tags.html` |
| `PDFBP.TEXT.EXTRACTABLE` | Scanned (image-only) PDF | `https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/creating-accessible-pdfs.html` |
| `PDFQ.REPO.NO_SCANNED_ONLY` | Image-only PDF in repository | `https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/creating-accessible-pdfs.html` |

Rule IDs are the ones defined in `skills/pdf-accessibility/references/rule-layers.md`. There is no PDF contrast rule; check text contrast in PDFs manually against 1.4.3.

## WCAG 2.2 Understanding Documents

### URL Pattern

```text
Base: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/
Pattern: {base}{slug}
```

### Criterion-to-Slug Mapping

Each WCAG, with its criterion name and slug.

| WCAG | Criterion Name | Slug |
|------|---------------|------|
| 1.1.1 | Non-text Content | `non-text-content` |
| 1.3.1 | Info and Relationships | `info-and-relationships` |
| 1.3.2 | Meaningful Sequence | `meaningful-sequence` |
| 1.3.5 | Identify Input Purpose | `identify-input-purpose` |
| 1.4.1 | Use of Color | `use-of-color` |
| 1.4.3 | Contrast (Minimum) | `contrast-minimum` |
| 1.4.4 | Resize Text | `resize-text` |
| 1.4.5 | Images of Text | `images-of-text` |
| 1.4.11 | Non-text Contrast | `non-text-contrast` |
| 2.1.1 | Keyboard | `keyboard` |
| 2.1.2 | No Keyboard Trap | `no-keyboard-trap` |
| 2.4.1 | Bypass Blocks | `bypass-blocks` |
| 2.4.2 | Page Titled | `page-titled` |
| 2.4.3 | Focus Order | `focus-order` |
| 2.4.6 | Headings and Labels | `headings-and-labels` |
| 2.4.7 | Focus Visible | `focus-visible` |
| 2.4.11 | Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) | `focus-not-obscured-minimum` |
| 2.5.8 | Target Size (Minimum) | `target-size-minimum` |
| 3.1.1 | Language of Page | `language-of-page` |
| 3.1.2 | Language of Parts | `language-of-parts` |
| 3.3.1 | Error Identification | `error-identification` |
| 3.3.2 | Labels or Instructions | `labels-or-instructions` |
| 3.3.7 | Redundant Entry | `redundant-entry` |
| 3.3.8 | Accessible Authentication (Minimum) | `accessible-authentication-minimum` |
| 4.1.2 | Name, Role, Value | `name-role-value` |

## Application-Specific Fix Steps Templates

### Word

Each rule, with its fix steps.

| Rule | Fix Steps |
|------|-----------|
| `DOCX-E001` | Right-click image, Edit Alt Text, enter description |
| `DOCX-E002` | Table Design tab, check Header Row checkbox |
| `DOCX-E003` | Apply correct heading style (Home tab, Styles group) |
| `DOCX-E004` | File, Info, Properties, Title field |
| `DOCX-E005` | Table Layout tab, Merge group, Split Cells |
| `DOCX-E006` | Replace link text with descriptive phrase |
| `DOCX-E007` | Apply Heading 1 style to document sections |

### Excel

Each rule, with its fix steps.

| Rule | Fix Steps |
|------|-----------|
| `XLSX-E001` | Right-click chart/image, Edit Alt Text, enter description |
| `XLSX-E002` | Home, Format as Table (ensure header row option checked) |
| `XLSX-E003` | Right-click sheet tab, Rename, enter descriptive name |
| `XLSX-E004` | Unmerge cells, restructure data layout |
| `XLSX-E005` | Replace link text with descriptive phrase |
| `XLSX-E006` | File, Info, Properties, Title field |

### PowerPoint

Each rule, with its fix steps.

| Rule | Fix Steps |
|------|-----------|
| `PPTX-E001` | Right-click image, Edit Alt Text, enter description |
| `PPTX-E002` | Home, Layout, choose layout with title placeholder |
| `PPTX-E003` | Enter unique title text on each slide |
| `PPTX-E004` | Select table, Table Design, check Header Row |
| `PPTX-E005` | Replace link text with descriptive phrase |
| `PPTX-E006` | Home, Arrange, Selection Pane, reorder items bottom-to-top |

### PDF (Acrobat Pro)

Each rule, with its fix steps.

| Rule | Fix Steps |
|------|-----------|
| `PDFUA.01.001` | Accessibility, Add Tags to Document |
| `PDFBP.META.TITLE_PRESENT` | File, Properties, Description tab, Title field |
| `PDFUA.06.001` | File, Properties, Advanced tab, Language dropdown |
| `PDFBP.STRUCT.READING_ORDER` | Tools, Accessibility, Reading Order tool |