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Question

What element is not tagged in these documents?

  • November 17, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 21 views
R
Conversation Starter
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Hi,

As a government entity after a document is signed we must often post it on our county website.  We’ve noticed that the post-signature download pdf looses its tagging.  At least we think that is what is happening.  Thus I have two questions:

1st Question

Assuming the Word document originally uploaded to the envelope meets the following accessibility standards:

  • Alternative text
  • Use of Style Headings
  • Accessible table formatting
  • Meaningful Document Properties Title
  • Properly tagged email and webpage links.

Shouldn’t the signed document keep these tags in the signed PDF version?

2nd Question

I’m attaching two post-signed downloads.  When I run the documents through Adobe Pro’s accessibility checker there is one error.  The error is the same for both documents.  Tagged annotations - Failed.  Element 1.

Normally I can click on Element 1 and the offending object highlights on the document.  But for some reason I can’t on these documents.  I’m assuming it is because the document is locked down.  Can you please tell me what Element 1 is so I can make sure we are addressing it on the Word document and/or Docusign template?  

Thank you

Rachael Leyba

Olmsted County, MN

3 replies

R
Conversation Starter
Forum|alt.badge.img+2

Looks like the moderator took down my examples, which are necessary for an answer to my question.  I guess I had some PII in there.  (Ooops!  Thank you moderator for looking out for me.)  

Here is another example with fiction stuff in there.  Can someone tell me what Element 1 is?

1 Attachments
M
Community Moderator
Forum|alt.badge.img+15

Hi ​@Rachael Leyba - Olmsted County—glad you checked back in!

Could you please confirm whether converting the Word document to PDF before uploading it to Docusign affects the retention of the tags?

Regarding the second question, since I don't have a professional Adobe license, I am unable to replicate the issue. This might be a better question to ask Adobe Support, as the behavior relates to their software and its accessibility checking tool.

Let us know if you need further assistance—we're here for you!

 

Sincerely,

Melanie | Docusign Community Moderator
If this helped, feel free to Like👍and click "Best Answer"

M
Community Moderator
Forum|alt.badge.img+15

Hi ​@Rachael Leyba - Olmsted County,

How are you? I wanted to follow up and see if you can provide the information I previously requested?

Let us know if you still need further assistance. We're here for you! 😊

 

Sincerely,

Melanie | Docusign Community Moderator
If this helped clarify things, feel free to Like👍and click "Best Answer"

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