Use Microsoft 365 for the web with your keyboard and a screen reader to move between different views on the screen using the new simplified Microsoft 365 ribbon, which is more streamlined and uses less space on your screen. We have tested it with Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA, but it might work with other screen readers as long as they follow common accessibility standards and techniques. On the new ribbon, commands are organized in a single line with the most commonly used commands more readily accessible.
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If you use Narrator with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you have to turn off scan mode in order to edit documents, spreadsheets, or presentations with Microsoft 365 for the web. For more information, refer to Turn off virtual or browse mode in screen readers in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.
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New Microsoft 365 features are released gradually to Microsoft 365 subscribers, so your app might not have these features yet. To learn how you can get new features faster, join the Office Insider program.
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To learn more about screen readers, go to How screen readers work with Microsoft 365.
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When you use Word for the web, we recommend that you use Microsoft Edge as your web browser. Because Word for the web 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 Word for the web.
In this topic
Switch between the simplified ribbon and the classic ribbon
You can switch between the simplified ribbon and the classic ribbon at any time. Depending on the type of your Microsoft 365 for the web subscription, the ribbon type can be toggled either through the View tab of the ribbon menu or from a toggle on the header.
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To switch the ribbon type from the View tab, press Alt+Windows logo key, W, R.
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To switch the ribbon type from the header, press Ctrl+F6 until you hear "List of Microsoft services," then press the Tab key until you hear "Simplified ribbon," and then press Enter.
Open the Accessibility Help window
Press Alt+Shift+A to open the Accessibility Help window, which contains a list of all accessibility keyboard shortcuts in the currently opened Office for the web application.
Use the Search field
To instantly select the command you want, you can use the Search field.
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Press Alt+Q to move the focus into the Search field.
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Enter the name of the command you want, then use the Up and Down arrow keys to browse the search results. Press Enter when you hear the one you want.
See also
Basic tasks using a screen reader with Word
Use a screen reader to insert and change text in Word
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.
