Microsoft Office Web Apps include features that make the software accessible to a wider range of users. This includes those who have limited dexterity, low vision, or other disabilities.
In this article
Features provided by your web browser
Because Office Web Apps run in the browser, you can use your web browser's features that improve the readability of pages. For information about the accessibility features that are provided by your web browser, look for information in the Help for the browser about how to customize your browser to display the fonts and colors that you prefer.
If you use Internet Explorer, we recommend that you use IE 8 or later.
Here are some online resources to try:
Top of Page
Using assistive technologies
Office Web Apps provide WAI-ARIA support for assistive technologies (WAI-ARIA stands for Web Accessibility Initiative-Accessible Rich Internet Applications.). If you use Assistive Technology Products, such as a screen reader or speech recognition software, you will have the best experience in Office Web Apps if the assistive technology that you use supports WAI-ARIA.
Some assistive technologies may not work well with certain elements on the pages in a site. If you have problems, refer to the following information and resources for possible solutions.
Using JAWS screen reader
If you use the JAWS screen reader, press Insert+Z to turn off Virtual PC cursor mode.
Using Windows Eyes screen reader
If you use the Windows Eyes screen reader, press Ctrl+Shift+A to switch to the mode that interacts with the Web Apps.
Working with Windows speech recognition in Windows
Windows speech recognition enables users to use their voice instead of a keyboard or mouse. It is included in recent versions of Windows (Vista and later).
There are known issues related to the use of Windows speech recognition with some menus on a SharePoint page. This includes the menus for New, Upload, Welcome User and the drop-down menu of options that are available for files in a document library. If you are using Office Web Apps in SharePoint, see Accessibility features in SharePoint products for more information (If you are using SharePoint 2010, see Accessibility features in SharePoint 2010 instead).
Top of Page
Keyboard shortcuts
Many features and commands are available directly by using the keyboard. You can press the Tab key and Shift+Tab to move back and forth between elements on any page. You can also find keyboard shortcuts for many commands. For more information, see the following topics:
Keyboard shortcuts in Word Web App
Keyboard shortcuts in Excel Web App
Keyboard shortcuts in PowerPoint Web App
Keyboard shortcuts in OneNote Web App
Top of Page
Accessible view in Word and PowerPoint Web Apps
Word Web App
To generate a view of documents that is available to screen readers, open a separate browser window to display the document. To do this, open a document in Reading view, and press the Tab key to the Generate more accessible view (new window) command. Then press Enter.
The accessible view requires a PDF reader to be installed on your computer. If you don’t have one, you are prompted to download one.
PowerPoint Web App (SharePoint 2010 only)
To view presentations in a format that is available to screen readers, display the presentation in outline view. To do this, press the Tab key to reach the File tab on the ribbon, press Enter, and then press the Down Arrow key to the Outline View command. Then press Enter.
Top of Page
Getting more accessibility information
The Microsoft Accessibility website at Microsoft Accessibility provides information about assistive technology for improving the lives of people with disabilities. The information on this site benefits people with disabilities and their friends and family members, people in outreach organizations, educators, and advocates.
A free monthly electronic newsletter is available to help you stay current with accessibility topics about Microsoft products. To subscribe, visit Free Subscription to the Accessibility Update Newsletter.
Top of Page
