Screenshot of axe DevTools browser extension issue results after scanning a webpage.

Axe DevTools Extension Updates: New Share Issue Feature & Improved Issue Summary

We have a lot of exciting updates included in the 4.9.3 release of the axe DevTools Browser Extension.

This release was all about implementing improvements based on user feedback. A brand new Share Issue feature is now available and the Export Issues feature is easier to access for axe DevTools Pro users. We’ve also made accessibility enhancements, updated the extension to axe-core 4.2, and you now have the ability to toggle Best Practices On/Off. 

Introducing Share Issue Feature 

In axe DevTools Pro, you find issues by doing automated and Intelligent Guided Tests™. But we know sharing is caring, and now you can do even more of it with the axe DevTools extension. 

Now, you can save your test and share individual issues. With one click, a customized URL with all issue description information is created for you to easily share with colleagues or your issue tracking software of choice, whether it’s JIRA, Github, Rally, Azure, or any other defect tracking or test management system. With this new addition, anyone can have insight into the issues you’ve identified. 

Watch this quick 2-minute demo video of the new Share Issue feature.

This is just the beginning of what we have in store for sharing, so stay tuned!

Best Practices On/Off Toggle and Export Issues 

Based on your feedback, you can now decide when to filter Best Practices out or leave them in. Go back and forth as often as you need with the easily accessible toggle, which is now available in the results summary. Best Practices will be included in the severity counts only if you have them turned on.

Screenshot of new Issue Summary in axe DevTools extension highlighting the Best Practices "On/Off" and Export Issues

Axe DevTools Pro users also provided feedback on the prominence of the Export Issues button. Export Issues is now prominently visible in the issue summary view and you don’t need to save results to export issues anymore. Always visible, handily available!

Accessibility Enhancements

We are constantly looking to improve the usability of the axe DevTools Browser Extension with Assistive Technologies (AT). Based on feedback we received from usability testing of native screen reader users, the Document Object Model (DOM) walker has been completely refactored into a tree, allowing AT users to easily navigate the DOM. 

In addition, we have exposed the accessible text for images captured by the relevant Intelligent Guided Test in order to provide more context when the user is prompted to answer a question.

Axe-core 4.2

This version includes an update of the rules engine to axe-core 4.2. This upgrade includes security and bug fixes as well as some new rules. For more details, check out the axe-core 4.2 blog post.

Conclusion

Keep the suggestions coming! Share the love, tell people about axe DevTools Pro…

Axe DevTools Pro is a powerful accessibility testing tool that helps development teams prevent 80% or more of accessibility issues from being created in the first place by using a combination of automated and Intelligent Guided Testing.

Build more accessible experiences and try axe DevTools Pro free – no payment required.

photo of Preety Kumar

About Preety Kumar

Preety is the CEO of Deque Systems and co-founded Deque in 1999 with the vision of unifying Web access, both from the user and the technology perspective. Under Preety's leadership, Deque has grown to be a market leader in the field of information accessibility, serving corporate and government clients with the highest standards in information technology such as Veteran Affairs, Department of Education, Humana, Intuit, HSBC, Target, and others. She collaborated with the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative and is a nominated member of the Accessibility Forum's Strategic Management Council: a GSA sponsored group with representatives from the IT industry, academia, Government Agencies, and disabled user groups that fosters information accessibility through mutual cooperation.
View all posts by Preety Kumar

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