fallbackteksti

Fallbackteksti, or fallback text, is the descriptive or default text provided when the primary content cannot be rendered or loaded. It helps preserve meaning, maintain layout, and support accessibility in digital interfaces. The term is used across web development, app design, and localization to ensure users still receive useful information even when resources fail to display.

In web accessibility, fallback text most commonly appears as alternative text for images (alt text) and as placeholder content during loading or when images are unavailable. Alt text should convey the image’s function or content for users relying on screen readers. For purely decorative elements, it is appropriate to use an empty alt attribute to avoid distracting or redundant narration.

In localization and internationalization, fallback text refers to the default language strings used when a translation is missing or incomplete. This ensures the user interface remains usable and understandable while a translation is being prepared. Fallback text should be coherent and consistent with the app’s default language and tone.

Best practices include keeping fallback text concise and descriptive, avoiding redundancy with nearby content, and tailoring it to convey function rather than merely repeating visual details. For images, provide meaningful alt text that describes purpose or content; decorative images should be non-intrusive or have empty alt text; for missing translations, maintain consistency with the target audience and avoid abrupt language shifts.

Examples include an image with alt text "Company XYZ logo" and a button labeled "Search" that falls back to the default language when a translation is not yet loaded.