Website Accessibility Scanning
How do I start a website scan?
Open DAC Web and choose Website Inventory, Webpage Scan, or Website Scan. All three options open the same Scan page with mode-specific controls already preselected. Enter the full https:// URL and start the run. You can monitor progress in the live status area and in History.
Which engines power the audits?
DAC-A11y drives Playwright-powered browsers (Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit) to exercise each page, then layers Axe-Core rule sets and our own heuristics to flag WCAG issues. This mirrors real user journeys while keeping the analysis deterministic.
What should I look for in the report?
Every website report highlights totals by severity, the affected pages, and remediation guidance for each finding, including the WCAG citation and helpful code context. Work on critical and serious issues first, then revisit the report to confirm fixes.
How long do scans take?
Runtime depends on the number of pages, site performance, and the engines you pick. Small marketing sites finish in minutes, while enterprise portals with deep navigation can take longer. The History view keeps timestamps so you can monitor throughput over time.
What happens if I paste a document link?
If a target URL resolves to a document, we reroute the job through document remediation automatically. You will see the new entry in Documents > History with the same status updates you receive for file uploads.
What's new with deep scans?
Deep scans submitted this week automatically route through our Azure Container Instances queue. We capture a run ID up front, enqueue the job, then stream the full crawl back into History once the worker completes. This keeps long-running crawls off the web host while giving you a consistent status trail.
Why are export checkboxes disabled sometimes?
Auto-download exports (Excel, Word, PDF) now apply only to immediate single-page scans. When you toggle Deep Scan or schedule a run, the export options hide because those reports are delivered after completion from the History view once the queued crawl has finished.
Why are some scan toggles hidden?
The Scan page now adapts to the DAC Web menu mode you selected. Website Inventory hides deep-scan and skip-passes toggles because audit settings are pre-applied. Webpage Scan hides website-level toggles. Website Scan hides Website Inventory and Deep Scan toggles because deep scanning is preselected.
Can I use Authenticated Page Access with Website Inventory?
Not yet. Website Inventory currently hides the Authenticated Page Access section. Authenticated run-now scanning is currently supported for Webpage Scan and Website Scan, and those authenticated runs execute locally.
What changed in Website Inventory reports?
Website Inventory runs now produce discovery-focused exports that summarize run metadata and link inventory (internal, external, documents, broken links) instead of full issue/pass detail sheets. This keeps audit exports concise for link-discovery workflows.
Can I resume a deep scan after interruption?
Yes. Deep scans now have stronger resume support for interruption scenarios (including partial and eligible cancelled runs). Resume controls are available from History and Run Details when the run state supports continuation.
Why can't I resume a Website Inventory run?
Website Inventory uses a discovery-only flow and resume actions are intentionally hidden for these runs. If an inventory run stops early, start a new Website Inventory run to rebuild discovered-link coverage.
Why do crawl pattern labels look different in Run Details?
Run Details now converts raw crawl templates (such as slug/hash/id patterns) into user-friendly labels so discovered-link summaries are easier to review.
How can I track a single-page scan while it runs?
The Web Scan form now surfaces active single-page jobs with live status updates (Queued, In Progress, Exporting, Complete). Keep the page open to watch progress; once it flips to Complete you can open the report directly from the banner or from History.
What happens if I start the same single-page scan twice?
To cut noise and duplicate load, identical single-page submissions for the same URL and engine are de-duplicated. If a matching job is already queued or running, we reuse the existing run and show you its status instead of spawning a duplicate.
Scheduling & History
How can I schedule a scan?
Open DAC Web > Webpage Scan or DAC Web > Website Scan, then use the Scheduling panel to choose one-time or recurring. Pick the start time in your local timezone (we convert to UTC) and confirm. Website Inventory is run-now only.
What happens to scheduled deep scans?
Scheduled deep scans now mirror the on-demand experience: the scheduler queues the job inside Azure Container Instances, marks the schedule as “Queued”, and posts the finished run back to History. You can still reschedule or cancel while the job waits in the queue.
Can I cancel or reschedule?
Yes. Inside the Scheduled Scans table you will find Cancel and Reschedule actions for every future run. You can adjust the next start time as long as the job has not begun processing.
Where do I review upcoming and past schedules?
The Scheduled Scans section lists every run with its cadence, next execution time, and status (Running, Completed, Failed, or Paused). Use it as a single view for both active and historical schedules.
Where do I see finished results?
All completed website scans and document jobs land in History. From there you can download the report package, export to PDF or CSV, or spin up a new scan using the same parameters.
Can I assign a scan to another user?
Yes for privileged roles. SuperAdmin and SupportStaff users can assign eligible run-now scans from the assignee dropdown on scan forms. Scheduling and target-user eligibility rules are enforced automatically.
Document Remediation
How do I check a document for accessibility?
Go to Documents and either upload a local PDF, DOCX, PPTX, XLSX, or image, or paste a direct document URL. Uploads enter the queue immediately, while links are fetched in the background before remediation begins.
Is the Document Scan Summary free?
Yes. The Document Scan Summary is free and is designed to estimate analysis and remediation effort before you commit. It only counts pages and uses lightweight signals to estimate difficulty. Estimates are directional and not final costs; actual pricing depends on document complexity and review.
Do audit uploads stay on the server?
No. For the audit summary, documents are temporarily uploaded or downloaded so we can count pages and estimate difficulty. Files are deleted immediately after the audit session ends, and nothing is saved to the database.
Which formats are supported?
DAC-A11y handles the formats teams use most:
- PDF files with full tagging support
- Microsoft Office documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- High-resolution images for OCR and description generation
What does the document report highlight?
Reports call out missing alt text, heading issues, untagged regions, reading order concerns, color contrast problems, inaccessible tables, and missing document language. Each item includes a recommended fix.
Can I import directly from Google Drive?
Yes. The cloud picker now supports Google Drive with My Drive and Shared Drives, including folder view, MIME filtering to PDF/Office types, and multi-file selection so you can queue several documents in one step.
What if the linked document is password protected?
We detect password-protected files early and return a clear error instead of failing later in remediation. Remove the password or upload an unlocked copy to continue.
How are uploads queued now?
Uploads route through a new queue modal that confirms each file or cloud selection, shows progress, and surfaces any download failures before processing starts.
Where are uploaded or imported documents stored during processing?
Document uploads and cloud imports now use Blob-backed processing paths for improved reliability and scale. Temporary processing artifacts are managed by retention and cleanup routines based on your environment configuration.
Can I paste images for alt text suggestions?
The Alt Text Lab now accepts clipboard images. Focus the paste area, press Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on Mac), and we will queue the image alongside file and folder uploads for five caption options.
What if the linked document is unavailable?
If the source host times out, blocks the download, or returns an unsupported file type, we mark the job as failed and send an alert. You can retry or upload the file directly once it is available.
What additional checks run automatically (no layout changes)?
Beyond alt text, headings, tables, and language, we now flag (report-only) issues that avoid layout changes: missing embedded fonts/ToUnicode maps, unlabeled form fields, missing document titles, visually bold text that skips Heading styles, slides missing reading-order cues, and empty Excel header cells. All of these are reported as issues—you choose how to remediate.
Plans & Billing
How do I subscribe to a plan?
Visit the Pricing page, review the plan tiers, and choose Subscribe or Get started. Checkout is processed through Stripe and supports all major credit cards.
Can I change my plan later?
Absolutely. Open Account Settings > Billing and select Manage subscription to upgrade, downgrade, or switch to annual billing. Changes apply immediately with prorated charges on your next invoice.
Can I buy one-time credits?
Yes. Credit bundles (1,000 standard, 5,000 with 15% off, and 10,000 with 25% off) are available from the Pricing page. Credits activate as soon as payment clears and supplement your included monthly allowance.
How many credits does each job type use?
Credits are charged by successful page outcomes based on job category:
- Credit model: 1 credit equals $0.05 USD.
- Webpage scan (single page): 1 credit per successful page scan.
- Deep website scan: 1 credit per successfully scanned page. Failed pages consume 0 credits.
- Document audit: 1 credit per successfully processed document page.
- Document remediation: 4 credits per successfully remediated page.
- Website Inventory (link discovery mode) does not consume page credits.
What is the difference between pending credits, reserved credits, and consumed credits?
For exact jobs, credits are reserved before processing begins. This reservation temporarily reduces available balance while the job is pending/in progress. On success, reserved credits become consumed. If the job fails or is cancelled, reserved credits are restored.
What happens when credits run out during deep scans or document batches?
Deep scans and large batches can be marked partial when credits are exhausted. Successful pages already completed remain charged; failed pages are not charged. For unknown-estimate batches, you can apply a max-credit cap (default: current remaining credits). Documents that exceed the remaining cap are skipped, while eligible items can continue.
How do I view invoices and payment history?
All receipts live under Account Settings > Billing. Download individual invoices or export a full statement anytime.
Can organization admins manage subscription and invoice actions?
Yes. OrgAdmin users now have expanded organization billing controls, including invoice self-service workflows and subscription action options based on account state and permissions.
What happens if a payment fails?
We notify you by email and retry the charge automatically. If retries exhaust, premium features pause until you update the payment method and the next attempt succeeds.
Is there a trial option?
New workspaces can run a limited free scan. For broader pilots of Pro or Enterprise plans, reach out through the Contact page so our team can tailor access.
Security & Data Protection
How do you handle customer data?
We limit data collection to what is required for scans and remediation, encrypt it in transit and at rest, and never share your content with third parties without explicit consent. Our Privacy Policy details retention windows and opt-out controls.
Are my scans and documents private?
Yes. Reports and remediated files are scoped to your workspace, and only authorized DAC-A11y support engineers can access them for troubleshooting. We do not use your assets to train models.
Where are uploads stored on the server?
Uploads are written under App_Data/UploadedFiles in the site content root when the host is writable. If that path is read-only, the app now falls back to Path.GetTempPath()/DAC.AccessCheck.A11yForge/UploadedFiles and logs a warning so operators can provision persistent storage. Both locations follow the same retention rules and cleanup routines.
What security controls are in place?
We combine encryption, role-based access controls, regular vulnerability assessments, cloud hardening, and ongoing employee training to keep your environment secure.
Violation Definitions Legend
PDF Violations
PDF.Document.MissingStructTree: The document is not tagged, making it largely inaccessible to screen readers.
PDF.Page.MissingStructParent: A page is missing a parent in the structure tree, breaking the reading order.
PDF.Image.MissingAltText: An image is missing alternative text, so its content is not available to visually impaired users.
PDF.Document.MissingLanguage: The document's primary language is not specified, which can confuse text-to-speech software.
PDF.Document.MissingBookmarks: Long documents should include bookmarks for navigation; this file has none.
Word Violations
Word.Image.MissingAltText: An image is missing alternative text.
Word.Image.AltTextLooksLikeFilename: Alt text appears to be a filename; provide a descriptive alternative.
Word.Paragraph.MissingHeadingStyle: Text that looks like a heading is not formatted with a heading style, preventing proper navigation.
Word.Table.MissingHeaderRow: A table is missing a designated header row, making it difficult to understand data relationships.
Word.Table.ComplexStructure: Tables with merged or nested cells can confuse screen readers and need manual review.
Word.ContentControl.MissingTitle: A content control is missing a title or tag, so its purpose is unclear to assistive tech.
Word.Document.MissingLanguage: The document's language is not set.
Excel Violations
Excel.Image.MissingAltText: An image on a worksheet is missing alternative text.
Excel.Image.AltTextLooksLikeFilename: Alt text appears to be a filename; provide a descriptive alternative.
Excel.Table.MissingHeaderRow: A table or sheet is missing a designated header row.
Excel.Table.ComplexStructure: Tables with merged cells can disrupt header associations and should be reviewed.
Excel.Sheet.MissingName: Worksheets should be clearly named for navigation and bookmarks.
Excel.Sheet.MissingMeaningfulName: Default sheet names should be replaced with descriptive labels.
Excel.Document.MissingLanguage: The workbook's language is not specified.
PowerPoint Violations
PPT.Slide.MissingTitle: A slide is missing a title, which is essential for navigation and understanding the slide's purpose.
PPT.Slide.DuplicateTitle: Multiple slides share the same title; titles should be unique.
PPT.Image.MissingAltText: An image is missing alternative text.
PPT.Image.AltTextLooksLikeFilename: Alt text appears to be a filename; provide a descriptive alternative.
PPT.Table.MissingHeaderRow: A table is missing a header row.
PPT.Table.ComplexStructure: Tables with merged cells can confuse screen readers and should be reviewed.
PPT.Section.MissingMeaningfulName: Presentation sections should have meaningful names for navigation.
PPT.Section.DuplicateName: Presentation sections should have unique names to avoid confusion.
Web Page Violations (Axe-core)
image-alt: Images must have alternate text.
color-contrast: Elements must have sufficient color contrast.
heading-order: Heading levels should only increase by one.
link-name: Links must have discernible text.
button-name: Buttons must have discernible text.
area-alt: All areas of an image map must have alternative text.
document-title: The page must have a title that describes topic or purpose.
html-has-lang: The element must have a lang attribute.
label: Every form element must have a label.
list: Lists must be structured correctly (using
, , and - elements).
td-headers-attr: Table cells must use the headers attribute to associate them with header cells.
Additional Document Checks (flag-only)
PDF.Fonts.Embedded / PDF.Fonts.MissingUnicodeMap: Confirms fonts are embedded and include ToUnicode maps so text stays selectable for assistive tech.
PDF.Metadata.TitleMissing: Flags documents without a title or subject for better navigation.
PDF.FormFields.Unlabeled: Highlights fields missing tooltips/labels.
Word.Styles.InlineOnlyHeading: Identifies text that looks like a heading but is not using Heading styles.
PPT.Fonts.NotEmbedded: Notes slides using fonts without embedded subsets for portability.
These are reported for awareness; remediation is left to you to avoid layout changes.
DAC A11y Assistant
How do I use the DAC A11y Assistant prompt system?
Open the DAC A11y Assistant on the Home page, type your request, then select Preview Action. The preview confirms detected intent, target, and credits before you execute. This preview-first flow helps prevent accidental scans or exports.
What are good prompt examples for DAC A11y Assistant?
Try these examples:
Discover all pages on https://example.com
Check https://example.com/about for WCAG 2.2 accessibility issues
Check my attached document for accessibility issues
Fix accessibility issues in my attached document
How many accessibility issues were found in run #1234?
How do I check a document using the assistant?
For a document audit summary, type "Audit my document for accessibility" and attach a file using the attachment button, or include a direct URL such as "Check https://example.com/report.pdf". For full remediation, use "Remediate my document" and attach the file.
Can I query results from a completed scan?
Yes. Include the run ID in your question, for example: "What are the total issues in run #42?", "Show top accessibility problems for run 100", or "How many pages were scanned in run 55?". The assistant returns a summary with issue counts by severity and the most common rule violations, plus a link to the full run details.
How do I view my scan history through the assistant?
Ask "Show my recent scans", "Show scan history", or "My runs". The assistant recognizes history requests and provides a direct link to your History page.
What happens if I switch topics mid-conversation?
Each assistant session is tied to a specific task type and target. If you ask about a different website domain or switch between a web scan and a document task, the assistant automatically starts a fresh conversation and notifies you that the topic has changed. This keeps each chat session focused on one run at a time.
Can I use the assistant without signing in?
Informational questions, document upload audit summaries, and website audits may be available without signing in depending on your plan settings. Actions that create queued scans or query personal run history require signing in.
What suggestion chips are available?
The homepage shows quick-start chips such as Website Inventory, Check accessibility, Document Scan, and Run Analytics. Click any chip to pre-fill the assistant input and get started immediately. The chips update as new capabilities are added.
Account & Support
How do I update my account information?
Open Profile after signing in to update your name, email address, or password. Changes take effect immediately across the workspace.
Who do I contact for technical help?
Submit a ticket from the Support page for troubleshooting, report questions, or feature requests. Our response time targets are posted there as well.
What if I am not signed in?
You can still reach us via the public Contact form. Include your organization name and the issue summary so we can route it correctly.
Where do I manage API keys for automation?
Administrators can now issue, rotate, and revoke API keys under Admin > API Keys. Each key shows a masked suffix, per-user limits, expiration dates, and last-used timestamps for auditing.