Template • Excel and Google Sheets
WCAG Audit Workbook
An Excel and Google Sheets workbook for WCAG 2.2 and 2.1 audits: test steps for every criterion, a results grid, an issue log, a suggested conformance level per criterion, and draft ACR remarks.
Built for real audits
- Every criterion has test steps. A primary method, a step-by-step procedure and the common failures for all 86 WCAG 2.2 criteria, written by a CPACC-certified auditor.
- Follows W3C's method. Scope, explore, sample, evaluate and report, in the shape of WCAG-EM 2.0, with W3C's result values.
- ACR-ready. Suggested conformance levels in ITI's terms, with checks such as Not Evaluated being allowed only at Level AAA.
- Catches mistakes. Flags an issue logged with no Fail recorded, a Fail with no issue, results on out-of-scope criteria, and unresolved Cannot tell results.
What is inside
Nine sheets, plus a filled-in example audit of a fictional council website so you can see every formula working.
- Start here
- How to use the workbook in six steps, keyboard tips, the severity scale, how statuses are worked out, and the notices.
- Project
- Scope, conformance target, accessibility support baseline, evaluation specifics and the report details an ACR needs. The target (WCAG 2.2 or 2.1, Level A, AA or AAA) decides which criteria are in scope everywhere.
- Sample
- Up to 40 pages or screens, marked structured, random or process step. The summary works out a random sample of about 10 percent, as W3C's WCAG-EM 2.0 methodology suggests.
- Results
- One row per criterion and one column per page: Pass, Fail, Cannot tell, Not present or Not tested. Counts, a suggested conformance level, your override, and a Check column that flags results and issues that disagree.
- Issues
- One issue log for every method, with page and criterion dropdowns that fill in names and levels, severity, priority, steps to reproduce, recommended fix, workaround, evidence link, ticket ID and retest result.
- Summary
- Counts by status, level, severity, principle and method, plus a draft conformance statement that updates as you test.
- ACR remarks
- A conformance level and a draft remark for every criterion, ready to rewrite and paste into ITI's free VPAT® template.
- Criteria
- All 86 WCAG 2.2 success criteria plus 4.1.1 for WCAG 2.1 audits, each with a primary test method, our step-by-step test procedure, common failures, and links to the W3C requirement, Understanding and How to Meet pages.
Preview: three rows from the Criteria sheet
| Ref | Success criterion | Level | Primary method | How to test (our guidance) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4.3 | Contrast (Minimum) | AA | Colour contrast | Measure text contrast with a contrast tool or eyedropper. Body text needs at least 4.5:1; large text needs 3:1. Check text over images and gradients at the worst point, placeholder text, and text in every state. |
| 2.4.11 | Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) | AA | Keyboard | Tab through the page with sticky headers, footers, cookie banners and chat widgets visible. A focused element must not be entirely hidden by author-created content. Test at default and higher zoom. |
| 3.3.8 | Accessible Authentication (Minimum) | AA | Forms and errors | Check every login step. None may rely on a cognitive function test unless there is an alternative or help: password managers can fill fields and paste is allowed. |
Shortened for the preview. The workbook also lists common failures and links each criterion to W3C.
Choose a licence
One-off payment. Excel (.xlsx), also works in Google Sheets and LibreOffice. Download from your account straight after payment. Version 1.0, updated 11 November 2026.
Individual licence
$59one-off
One person, unlimited audits, including paid client work.
Buy by invoiceCard checkout is opening soon. Contact us with the product and licence you want, and we will set up your access once the invoice is paid.
Team licence
$149one-off
Everyone in one organisation, unlimited audits.
Buy by invoiceCard checkout is opening soon. Contact us with the product and licence you want, and we will set up your access once the invoice is paid.
Prices exclude any sales tax or VAT. You need a free Accessibility.build account to buy, so your purchase is linked to it. See our refund policy and terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it work in Google Sheets?
Yes. Every formula uses functions that Excel, LibreOffice and Google Sheets all support, with no macros. Upload the file to Google Drive, open it, and choose File, Save as Google Sheets to get the full feature set, including protected ranges.
Which WCAG versions does it cover?
WCAG 2.2 and WCAG 2.1, at Level A, AA or AAA. Choose the target on the Project sheet and every other sheet marks which criteria are in scope: 55 for WCAG 2.2 AA and 50 for WCAG 2.1 AA. WCAG 2.1 AA is the standard in the ADA Title II rule, and 4.1.1 Parsing is included for 2.1 audits, set to Supports as W3C's 2023 note and ITI's instructions advise.
Does it include the WCAG text?
It includes each criterion's number, short name, level, principle and guideline, unchanged and attributed to W3C, and links every criterion to its full requirement, Understanding page and How to Meet page at W3C. The test steps and common failures are our own guidance, labelled as ours.
Does it include the VPAT template?
No. VPAT is a registered service mark of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), and ITI publishes the template free at itic.org. The ACR remarks sheet gives you a conformance level and a draft remark for each criterion to paste into ITI's template. The workbook is not affiliated with ITI.
How is the suggested conformance level worked out?
From your results on the sampled pages: no failures means Supports, failures on no more pages than pass means Partially Supports, failures on more pages than pass means Does Not Support, and only Not present results means Not Applicable. Cannot tell results are flagged for review. You can override any suggestion, and the workbook never produces an overall score, because W3C warns that single scores can mislead.
Can I use it for paid client work?
Yes. Both licences allow unlimited audits, including paid client work, and you can share completed audits with your clients. The team licence covers everyone in one organisation. Please do not resell or share the blank workbook.
Is the workbook itself accessible?
It follows Microsoft's and the UK Analysis Function's guidance for accessible spreadsheets: a title in cell A1 and a description in A2 on every sheet, one table per sheet with a single header row, no merged cells, text values so colour is never the only cue, and descriptive link text.
Notices
Success criterion numbers, short names and levels are reproduced without change from Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, W3C Recommendation 12 December 2024. Copyright © 2020-2024 World Wide Web Consortium. W3C does not endorse this product.
VPAT® is a registered service mark of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI). This product is not affiliated with or endorsed by ITI.
The workbook supports an evaluation. It does not make a product conform, and it is not legal advice.
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