This article is for people who use a screen reader program such as Windows Narrator, JAWS, or NVDA with Windows tools or features and Microsoft 365 products. This article is part of the Accessibility help & learning content set where you can find more accessibility information on our apps. For general help, visit Microsoft Support.
Windows has built-in tools to help you express your thoughts and text with different characters and emojis. There are several keyboard layouts and handwriting-to-text capabilities.
The Pen & Windows Ink tool converts your writing or drawing with a stylus or finger into text and shapes. The Emoji Panel provides quick access to emojis, GIFs, and symbols for expressive communication, while the On-Screen Keyboard and Touch Keyboard offer virtual typing solutions for alternative typing and navigation. ​​​
Note:Â To learn more about screen readers, go to How screen readers work with Microsoft 365.
In this topic
Explore Character mapÂ
Character Map allows you to view, select, and copy special characters and symbols that are not available on a standard keyboard. It is particularly useful for inserting foreign language letters, or symbols into documents or other text fields.
Use one of the following methods to insert special characters from Character Map into a document using a compatible program.
Follow these steps to copy characters to the clipboard and then paste them into a program:
-
Press the Windows logo key and type "Character Map" in Search. Then press Enter to open the Character Map dialog.
Note:Â To change the font of the character, use Tab until you hear "Font", then use the arrow keys to select the required font. Your screen reader will announce the selected font.
-
Navigate using Tab key until you hear "Character grid pane", then use the arrow keys to select the required character from the list and press Enter.
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Use Tab to select the Copy button after selecting a character, then press Enter to copy the character to the clipboard.
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Open the desired application, select where you want to insert the special character, and press Ctrl+V to paste it.
For more information, go to How to Use Special Characters in Windows Documents.
Unicode is a character standard that represents almost all the written languages of the world.
Follow these steps to insert a special character using the Unicode value:
-
Open the desired application and navigate to the insertion point where you want to insert the special character.
-
If you know the Unicode value, press and hold the Alt key and type the four-digit Unicode value for the character.
Note:Â Â Ensure that Num lock is enabled and use the number pad keys to type the Unicode character value.
To determine the Unicode value of a specific character:
-
Press the Windows logo key and type "Character map" in the search field.
-
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​If a specific font is needed, use Tab until you hear "font combo box collapsed" and then use arrow keys to select the required font.
-
-
​​​​​​​Press the Tab key until you hear "Character grid pane," then use the arrow keys to select the special character that you want to use. Your screen reader will announce the corresponding Unicode value.
The Advanced view allows you to perform more detailed searches and access additional functionality in Character Map to find and use specific characters.
To expand the advanced view options, use the Tab key until you hear "Advanced view check box" and press Spacebar to select the check box.
Alternatively, press Alt+V to select or unselect the Advanced view checkbox.
-
The character set determines which collection of characters is displayed in the Character Map. Use the Tab key until you hear "Character set" and then use the Left or Right arrow key to filter the characters based on specific encoding standards or regions.
-
To search the characters using Unicode, select Unicode in the character set, press the Tab key to select "Go to Unicode," and type the four-digit Unicode value in the search box and press Enter.Â
-
Group By feature, organize characters into categories to make them easier to find based on selected criteria.
-
Search for allows you to find characters by name or description. For example, searching "arrow" shows all characters with "arrow" in their name. To clear searches, use Tab, select the Reset button, and press Enter.Â
Pen & Windows Ink for Digital Writing
Pen & Windows Ink features enable you to seamlessly interact with your device using a digital pen, stylus, or your fingertip. This feature enhances productivity and creativity through ink-based tools.
To select the Pen & Window Ink feature, follow these steps:
-
Press the Windows logo key, type "Settings" in the search field and then press Enter.
-
Use Tab key to navigate until you hear "System" and then use the Down arrow key to select Bluetooth & devices, then press Enter.
-
Use the Tab key until you hear "Devices" then use the Down arrow key to select Pen & Windows Ink, then press Enter.
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To expand the Handwriting panel settings, use the Tab key until you hear "Show more settings" and press Enter.
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Press Tab until you hear "Font combo box collapsed," and then press Enter.
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Use the Up or Down arrow key to select either Ink Free or Segoe UI from the context menu.
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To use your finger as a writing tool on the screen, press Tab to select the Write with your fingertip checkbox and press Spacebar to check or uncheck it.
-
Navigate emoji panel
The emoji panel allows you to insert emojis, GIFs, kaomoji, and symbols into your text, making communication more expressive and your messages more vibrant and engaging.
-
Press Windows logo key+. (period) to open the emoji panel.
-
Once the emoji panel is open, press the Tab key until you hear "Most recently used" and then use Left or Right arrow key to select either Emoji, GIF, Kaomoji, Symbols, or Clipboard history, and press Enter to expand the respective lists.
-
Use the arrow keys to select an emoji, GIF, kaomoji, or symbols from the list and press Enter to insert.​​​​​​​
Alternatively, press Tab to select the search field and type the name of emoji, GIF, kaomoji, or symbols, then press Enter.
On-Screen keyboard and Touch keyboard
The On-Screen Keyboard offers comprehensive features like function keys, numeric pads, and customizable layouts. The Touch Keyboard optimizes for touchscreen and surface devices, offering a more compact and touch-friendly interface. For more information on the touch keyboard, refer Get to know the touch keyboard.
The On-Screen Keyboard is a virtual keyboard that appears on your device's screen, allowing you to input text and commands without needing a physical keyboard. For more information, go to Use the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) to type.
Windows has built-in tools to help you express your thoughts and text with different characters and emojis. There are several keyboard layouts and handwriting-to-text capabilities.
The Pen & Windows Ink tool converts your writing or drawing with a stylus or finger into text and shapes. The Emoji Panel provides quick access to emojis, GIFs, and symbols for expressive communication, while the On-Screen Keyboard and Touch Keyboard offer virtual typing solutions for alternative typing and navigation.
Note:Â To learn more about screen readers, go to How screen readers work with Microsoft 365.
In this topic
-
Pen & Windows Ink for Digital Writing ​​​​​​​
-
On-Screen keyboard and Touch keyboard​​​​​​​
Explore Character map
Character Map allows you to view, select, and copy special characters and symbols that are not available on a standard keyboard. It is particularly useful for inserting foreign language letters, or symbols into documents or other text fields.
Use one of the following methods to insert special characters from Character Map into a document using a compatible program.
Follow these steps to copy characters to the clipboard and then paste them into a program:
-
Press the Windows logo key and type "Character Map" in Search. Then press Enter to open the Character Map dialog.
Note:Â To change the font of the character, use Tab until you hear "Font", then use the arrow keys to select the required font. Your screen reader will announce the selected font.
-
Navigate using Tab key until you hear "U+0021 Exclamation mark", then use the arrow keys to select the required character from the list and press Enter.
-
Use Tab to select the Copy button after selecting a character, then press Enter to copy the character to the clipboard.
-
Open the desired application, select where you want to insert the special character, and press Ctrl+V to paste it.
For more information about special characters, go to How to Use Special Characters in Windows Documents.
Unicode is a character standard that represents almost all the written languages of the world.
Follow these steps to insert a special character using the Unicode value:
-
Open your document and navigate to the insertion point where you want to insert the special character.
-
If you know the Unicode value, press and hold the Alt key and type the four-digit Unicode value for the character.
Note:Â : Ensure that Num lock is enabled and use the number pad keys to type the Unicode character value.
To find the Unicode value for a particular character:
-
Press the Windows logo key, and type "Character map" in the search field.
-
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​If a specific font is needed, use Tab until you hear "font combo box collapsed" and then use arrow keys to select the required font.
-
-
Press the Tab key until you hear "U+0021 Exclamation mark," then use the arrow keys to select the special character that you want to use. Your screen reader will announce the corresponding Unicode value.
The Advanced view allows you to perform more detailed searches and access additional functionality in Character Map to find and use specific characters.
To expand the advanced view options, use the Tab key until you hear "Advanced view check box" and press Spacebar to select the check box.
Alternatively, press Alt+V to select or unselect the Advanced view checkbox.
-
The character set determines which collection of characters is displayed in the Character Map. Use the Tab key until you hear "Character set" and then use the Left or Right arrow key to filter the characters based on specific encoding standards or regions.
-
To search the characters using Unicode, select Unicode in the character set, press the Tab key to select "Go to Unicode," and type the four-digit Unicode value in the search box and press Enter.
-
Group By feature organize characters into categories to make them easier to find based on selected criteria.
-
Search for allows you to find characters by name or description. For example, searching "arrow" shows all characters with "arrow" in their name. To clear searches, use Tab, select the Reset button, and press Enter.
Pen & Windows Ink for Digital Writing
Pen & Windows Ink features enable you to seamlessly interact with your device using a digital pen, stylus, or your fingertip. This feature enhances productivity and creativity through ink-based tools.
To select the Pen & Window Ink feature, follow these steps:
-
Press the Windows logo key, in the search field, type "Settings" and then press Enter.
-
Navigate using Tab until you hear "System" and then use the Right arrow key to select Devices, then press Enter.
-
Use the Tab key until you hear "Bluetooth & other devices" then use the Down arrow key to select Pen & Windows Ink then press Enter.
-
​​​​​​​​​​​​Press Tab until you hear "Font when using handwriting combo box collapsed," and press Enter.
-
Use the Down arrow key to select required font from the context menu.​​​​​​​
-
To use your finger as a writing tool on the screen, press the Tab until you hear "Write in the handwriting panel your fingertip checkbox" and press Spacebar to check or uncheck it.
-
Navigate emoji panel
The emoji panel allows you to insert emojis, GIFs, Kaomoji, and symbols into your text, making communication more expressive and your messages more vibrant and engaging.
-
Press Windows logo key+. (period) to emoji panel.
-
Once the emoji panel is open, press the Tab key until you hear "Emoji" and then use Left or Right arrow key to select either Kaomoji, or Symbols and press Enter to expand the respective lists.
-
Use the arrow keys to select an emoji, kaomoji, or symbols from the list and press Enter to insert.
On-Screen keyboard and Touch keyboard
The On-Screen Keyboard offers comprehensive features like function keys, numeric pads, and customizable layouts. The Touch Keyboard optimizes for touchscreen and Surface devices, offering a more compact and touch-friendly interface. For more information on the touch keyboard, refer Get to know the touch keyboard.
The On-Screen Keyboard is a virtual keyboard that appears on your device's screen, allowing you to input text and commands without needing a physical keyboard. For more information, go to Use the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) to type.
See also
Make your mouse, keyboard, and other input devices easier to use
Technical support for customers with disabilities
Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.
If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.
