Use SharePoint in Microsoft 365 with your keyboard and a screen reader to explore and navigate the app main views and elements, and to move between views and functions. You can use common keyboard commands to move between areas such as the navigation pane, toolbar, and content, and to interact with lists, libraries, and pages.
Note
- To learn more about screen readers, go to How screen readers work with Microsoft 365.
- When you use SharePoint in Microsoft 365, we recommend that you use Microsoft Edge as your web browser. Because SharePoint in Microsoft 365 runs in your web browser, the keyboard shortcuts are different from those in the desktop program. For example, you'll use Ctrl+F6 instead of F6 for jumping in and out of the commands. Also, common shortcuts like F1 (Help) and Ctrl+O (Open) apply to the web browser – not SharePoint in Microsoft 365.
In this topic
Navigate SharePoint Online
Use the following keys to move around SharePoint Online:
- Press Tab or Shift+Tab to move between interactive elements such as links, buttons, and fields.
- Use Tab to move to a section and then use the arrow keys to move within it.
- After moving to a component, use the arrow keys to move within lists, menus, or navigation panes.
- Press Shift+F10 or the Menu key to open the context menu for the selected item.
- Press Enter or Spacebar to activate the selected item.
- Press Esc to close menus or exit dialogs.
Cycle through the main areas
To navigate in SharePoint in Microsoft 365 and to cycle through the screen elements, press the Tab key (forward) and Shift+Tab key (backward). The main areas are:
- Banner and site header
- Search bar
- Toolbar
- Navigation pane
- Main content area
Navigate the navigation pane
After you've signed in, SharePoint in Microsoft 365 opens to the main view. In the main view, the navigation pane lists links to, for example, sites that you're following and recent sites. Press the Tab key to move between sections of the navigation pane, and use the Up and Down arrow keys to browse the list within each section. Press Enter to make a selection.
In the SharePoint in Microsoft 365 main view, the toolbar allows you to, for example, create a new site or news post. Use the Left and Right arrow keys to browse the toolbar, and press Enter to make a selection.
See also
Use a screen reader to explore Following and Recent sites list in SharePoint Online
Keyboard shortcuts in SharePoint Online
Basic tasks using a screen reader with SharePoint Online
Make your SharePoint site accessible to people with disabilities
Use SharePoint in Microsoft 365 with your keyboard and a screen reader to explore and navigate the app main views and elements, and to move between views and functions. You can use common keyboard commands to move between areas such as the navigation pane, toolbar, and content, and to interact with lists, libraries, and pages.
Note
- To learn more about screen readers, go to How screen readers work with Microsoft 365.
- When you use SharePoint in Microsoft 365, we recommend that you use Microsoft Edge as your web browser. Because SharePoint in Microsoft 365 runs in your web browser, the keyboard shortcuts are different from those in the desktop program. For example, you'll use Ctrl+F6 instead of F6 for jumping in and out of the commands. Also, common shortcuts like F1 (Help) and Ctrl+O (Open) apply to the web browser – not SharePoint in Microsoft 365.
In this topic
Navigate SharePoint Online
Use the following keys to move around SharePoint Online:
- Press Tab or Shift+Tab to move between interactive elements such as links, buttons, and fields.
- Use Tab to move to a section and then use the arrow keys to move within it.
- After moving to a component, use the arrow keys to move within lists, menus, or navigation panes.
- Press Shift+F10 or the Menu key to open the context menu for the selected item.
- Press Enter or Spacebar to activate the selected item.
- Press Esc to close menus or exit dialogs.
Note
If focus seems stuck, press Tab to move forward or Shift+Tab to move backward and exit the control.
Use skip links to move to main content
When a SharePoint page loads, press Tab to navigate through the interactive elements. Skip links appear at the top of the page, such as:
- Skip to main content
- Skip ribbon or toolbar
Press Enter to use a skip link and move directly to that section of the page.
Cycle through the main areas
To navigate in SharePoint in Microsoft 365 and to cycle through the screen elements, press the Tab key (forward) and Shift+Tab key (backward). The main areas are:
- Banner and site header
- Search bar
- Navigation pane
- Toolbar
- Main content area
In the site header, press Tab or Shift+Tab to move between items such as the site logo, search box, and settings.
Note
After moving to a section, use the arrow keys to move within lists or groups of items, and then press Enter to select.
Navigate the navigation pane
After you've signed in, SharePoint in Microsoft 365 opens to the main view. In the main view, the navigation pane lists links to, for example, sites that you're following and recent sites. Press the Tab key to move between sections of the navigation pane, and use the Up and Down arrow keys to browse the list within each section. Press Enter to make a selection.
In a SharePoint site, the navigation pane lists links to, for example, the home page, documents pages, and site content. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to browse the list, and press Enter to make a selection.
Note
If a navigation item has a submenu, press the Right arrow key to expand it and the Left arrow key to collapse it.
In SharePoint in Microsoft 365, the toolbar allows you to, for example, create a new site, page, or file, and publish changes. Use the Left and Right arrow keys to browse the toolbar, and press Enter to make a selection. If the tool has a submenu, to browse within the submenu, use the Up and Down arrow keys.
When a dialog opens, use Tab or Shift+Tab to move between options, and press Esc to close it.
Special considerations for SharePoint Online Modern Experience
To find your documents and pages as quickly as possible, use the site contents page.
Navigate to a document library
Identifying a document library in the navigation pane can be difficult as the screen readers don't announce the item types as you move inside the pane. You can use the site contents page to browse the list of items and their types to make sure you find the right one.
- In the site home page, press the Tab key until you hear "Entering navigation control," followed by the current selection in the list.
- Press the Down arrow key until you hear "Site content" and then press Enter. The site contents page opens.
- Press the Tab key until you hear "List of contents within this site," and then press the SR key+Right or Left arrow key to browse the list.
- After moving into the list of items, use the arrow keys to move between items.
- When you hear the document library you want, press Enter. The document library opens in a new tab in your web browser.
Note
- If you know the name, part of the name, or subject of the document library, you can use Search. For instructions, go to Search for sites, document libraries, or pages.
- To open the context menu for an item, press Shift+F10 or the Menu key.
Navigate to a page
- In the site home page, press the Tab key until you hear "Entering navigation control," followed by the current selection in the list.
- Press the Down arrow key until you hear "Pages," and then press Enter. The Site Pages page opens. The focus is on the first item in the list of pages.
- Press Tab to move between web parts and interactive elements on the page.
- Press the Up or Down arrow key until you hear the page you want, and then press Enter.
- When you hear the page you want, press Enter. The page opens in a new tab in your web browser.
See also
Use a screen reader to create a team or communication site in SharePoint
Use a screen reader to add images and media to a SharePoint page
Use a screen reader to add content and text to an accessible SharePoint page
Keyboard shortcuts in SharePoint Online
Basic tasks using a screen reader with SharePoint Online
Make your SharePoint site accessible to people with disabilities
