Accessible PDFs in record time: How much time does axesWord really save?
In many organizations, creating accessible PDFs takes up valuable time when they have to be corrected afterward. With axesWord, this can be done directly in Microsoft Word, without additional software or manual rework. But how much time does it really save? We put it to the test.
The Real-World Test: axesWord vs. Standard Export from Word
In several comparative tests, typical documents, ranging from short business letters to lengthy reports, were exported in two ways:
- With axesWord: Export PDFs directly from Microsoft Word
- With the standard export feature in Microsoft Word: subsequent manual editing until the document was fully accessible
The results were clear: depending on the document type, axesWord saves up to an hour per file. In practice, the time savings for the average user are usually even greater, as our tests were conducted by a PDF accessibility expert with several years of experience in creating accessible documents.
Accessibility right in Word.
Save time and avoid tedious post-processing with axesWord.
Example 1: A 20-page report with tables, images, and footnotes
This is where the real difference between manual and automated processes becomes clear:
- axesWord: Export in about 30 seconds, fully accessible
- Word export: 99 PDF/UA errors, including faulty table structures, missing links, and incorrect reading order. Correction took about an hour, despite using paid tools such as Adobe Acrobat and axesPDF.
Result: Over an hour faster with axesWord, while also achieving higher resolution in the PDF file.
Example 2: One-page business letter
A classic everyday scenario: headers and footers, a logo, simple tables.
- axesWord: Export in seconds, fully accessible
- Word export: Export also takes seconds, but with several issues: headers and footers had to be manually tagged, empty paragraphs removed, and the reading order corrected.
Result: About 20 minutes of rework with the standard export. With axesWord, this is completely eliminated.
Why the standard export isn't enough
When exporting a PDF from Word using the standard method, a lot of important information is lost, such as details about the document’s structure, tables, lists, and footnotes. This information must then be added manually, which is time-consuming and requires in-depth expertise.
axesWord does this automatically:
- The structure and reading order are preserved correctly
- Tables, footnotes, and indexes are properly marked up
- Empty paragraphs and broken links are avoided
This means: less rework, consistent quality, and legally compliant accessibility in accordance with the PDF/UA standard.
Try it for yourself!
See how quickly you can create accessible PDFs with axesWord.
An Overview of the Benefits of axesWord
- Significant time savings when creating accessible PDF documents
- Seamless integration with Microsoft Word, so there’s no need to switch programs
- Automated creation of accessible documents with just a few clicks
- No specialized knowledge required: install, open, and get started
- Legally compliant creation in accordance with the PDF/UA standard
- Scalability for teams and large organizations
Conclusion
axesWord bridges the gap between time-consuming manual editing and efficient automation. What used to take hours of corrections can now be done with a single click—faster, easier, and more reliable.
For more details on specific test cases or a personalized assessment, please contact us. We’d be happy to show you what’s possible in your workflow.
