In short. Edit the product image in the WordPress Media Library, enter its alternative text, save the media change, and save any product image changes.
Definition: Alternative text, also called alt text, is a concise description of an image for people who cannot view it. For a WooCommerce product image, the description belongs in the image's alternative text field in the WordPress Media Library.
Key facts
- As of 17 October 2026, WooCommerce's product image documentation places the Product image and Product gallery boxes on the right of the product editor.
- WordPress's Edit Media documentation identifies Alternate text as the image description used for accessibility.
- The WordPress lesson Using the Media Library lists alternative text, title, caption, and description as separate image attributes.
Where is the product image editor?
WooCommerce's Adding and Managing Products links to its product editor settings reference. The settings reference gives this route to an existing product:
Products > All Products > Edit
In the Product image box, Set product image opens the choice of an existing Media Library image or a new upload. An existing product image can also be edited. WooCommerce's image guide describes the main product image as being reused at different sizes across the store.
The selected image's alternative text field holds its description. For additional photos, Add product gallery images opens the Media Library; Add to gallery confirms the selection. The main product image already appears first in the gallery, so it needs no duplicate gallery entry.
Which media text field holds the description?
WordPress's Edit Media reference distinguishes the fields by purpose:
- Alternate text describes the image for accessibility.
- Title names the media item and appears in the Media Library's File column.
- Caption provides a brief explanation of the media.
- Description holds an explanation of that particular media item.
The accessibility description therefore goes in Alternate text. WordPress's Media Library lesson describes it as concise text for users who cannot view the image. The media title may appear on attachment pages or in galleries when a theme or plugin displays it.
The Edit image button opens tools for cropping, scaling, rotating, and flipping the picture. The text fields are part of the media details screen.
How are changes saved and checked?
For an existing library image, WordPress's Edit Media instructions provide this route:
Media > Library > Edit
In the library's list view, the media name or its Edit link opens the details page. After the alternative text is entered, Update in the Save box saves the change.
WooCommerce's product image guide also instructs saving product image or gallery changes with Update or Publish. Its storefront check is to open the product page and confirm the main image, gallery items, and their order. This checks that the intended photos are attached to the product.
Related terms
- Image alternative text
- Where do I edit a WooCommerce product's short description?
- How do I create a variable product in WooCommerce?
FAQ
Can I edit the alternative text without uploading the image again?
Yes. You can open the existing item through Media > Library, edit its alternative text, and save it with Update, following WordPress's Edit Media documentation.
How do I find a product photo in a large Media Library?
You can use the search field with words from the file name or description. WordPress's Media Library lesson also documents filters for media type and upload date.
Sources
- WooCommerce, "Adding and Managing Products", undated
- WooCommerce, "WooCommerce Product Editor settings", undated
- WooCommerce, "Adding Product Images and Galleries", undated
- WordPress.org, "Edit Media", updated 23 October 2024
- Learn WordPress, "Using the Media Library", undated
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