The alternative (alt) text is a short block of text that describes the content and function of an image or other non-text element on a web page. The alt text is read aloud by screen readers and other assistive technologies to provide access to people who cannot see the image. The alt text also helps with search engine optimization and displays on the page if the image fails to load1.

When designing a custom component that includes a clickable icon in a Lookup field, the alt text should be concise, descriptive, and meaningful. The alt text should convey the purpose and action of the icon, rather than its appearance or format. Therefore, the best option for the alt text of the icon is “Search button”, as it describes what the icon does and how the user can interact with it. The other options are not suitable for the alt text, as they either include unnecessary words, such as “image of” or “photo of”, or omit important information, such as “button”. For example, the option “Image of a search button” is redundant, as the screen reader will already announce that the element is an image. The option “Search” is incomplete, as it does not indicate that the element is a button that can be clicked. The option “Image of a magnifying glass” is irrelevant, as it describes the appearance of the icon, rather than its function.