NVDA 2023.3rc2 Commands Quick Reference

Using NVDA

NVDA Touch Gestures

To toggle touch interaction support, press NVDA+control+alt+t.

Touch Modes

To toggle touch modes, perform a 3-finger tap.

Basic NVDA commands

Name Desktop key Laptop key Touch Description
Starts or restarts NVDA Control+alt+n Control+alt+n none Starts or restarts NVDA from the Desktop, if this Windows shortcut is enabled during NVDA's installation process. This is a Windows specific shortcut and therefore it cannot be reassigned in the input gestures dialog.
Stop speech Control control 2-finger tap Instantly stops speaking
Pause Speech shift shift none Instantly pauses speech. Pressing it again will continue speaking where it left off (if pausing is supported by the current synthesizer)
NVDA Menu NVDA+n NVDA+n 2-finger double-tap Pops up the NVDA menu to allow you to access preferences, tools, help, etc.
Toggle Speech Mode NVDA+s NVDA+s none Toggles speech mode between speech, beeps and off.
Toggle Input Help Mode NVDA+1 NVDA+1 none Pressing any key in this mode will report the key, and the description of any NVDA command associated with it
Quit NVDA NVDA+q NVDA+q none Exits NVDA
Pass next key through NVDA+f2 NVDA+f2 none Tells NVDA to pass the next key press straight through to the active application - even if it is normally treated as an NVDA key command
Toggle application sleep mode on and off NVDA+shift+s NVDA+shift+z none sleep mode disables all NVDA commands and speech/braille output for the current application. This is most useful in applications that provide their own speech or screen reading features. Press this command again to disable sleep mode - note that NVDA will only retain the Sleep Mode setting until it is restarted.

Reporting System Information

Name key Description
Report date/time NVDA+f12 Pressing once reports the current time, pressing twice reports the date
Report battery status NVDA+shift+b Reports the battery status i.e. whether AC power is in use or the current charge percentage.
Report clipboard text NVDA+c Reports the Text on the clipboard if there is any.

Navigating with NVDA

Navigating with the System Focus

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Report current focus NVDA+tab NVDA+tab announces the current object or control that has the System focus. Pressing twice will spell the information
Report title NVDA+t NVDA+t Reports the title of the currently active window. Pressing twice will spell the information. Pressing three times will copy it to the clipboard
Read active window NVDA+b NVDA+b reads all the controls in the currently active window (useful for dialogs)
Report Status Bar NVDA+end NVDA+shift+end Reports the Status Bar if NVDA finds one. Pressing twice will spell the information. Pressing three times will copy it to the clipboard
Report Shortcut Key shift+numpad2 NVDA+control+shift+. Reports the shortcut (accelerator) key of the currently focused object

Navigating with the System Caret

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Say all NVDA+downArrow NVDA+a Starts reading from the current position of the system caret, moving it along as it goes
Read current line NVDA+upArrow NVDA+l Reads the line where the system caret is currently situated. Pressing twice spells the line. Pressing three times spells the line using character descriptions.
Read current text selection NVDA+Shift+upArrow NVDA+shift+s Reads any currently selected text
Report text formatting NVDA+f NVDA+f Reports the formatting of the text where the caret is currently situated. Pressing twice shows the information in browse mode
Report caret location NVDA+numpadDelete NVDA+delete Reports information about the location of the text or object at the position of system caret. For example, this might include the percentage through the document, the distance from the edge of the page or the exact screen position. Pressing twice may provide further detail.
Next sentence alt+downArrow alt+downArrow Moves the caret to the next sentence and announces it. (only supported in Microsoft Word and Outlook)
Previous sentence alt+upArrow alt+upArrow Moves the caret to the previous sentence and announces it. (only supported in Microsoft Word and Outlook)

When within a table, the following key commands are also available:

Name Key Description
Move to previous column control+alt+leftArrow Moves the system caret to the previous column (staying in the same row)
Move to next column control+alt+rightArrow Moves the system caret to the next column (staying in the same row)
Move to previous row control+alt+upArrow Moves the system caret to the previous row (staying in the same column)
Move to next row control+alt+downArrow Moves the system caret to the next row (staying in the same column)
Move to first column control+alt+home Moves the system caret to the first column (staying in the same row)
Move to last column control+alt+end Moves the system caret to the last column (staying in the same row)
Move to first row control+alt+pageUp Moves the system caret to the first row (staying in the same column)
Move to last row control+alt+pageDown Moves the system caret to the last row (staying in the same column)
Say all in column NVDA+control+alt+downArrow Reads the column vertically from the current cell downwards to the last cell in the column.
Say all in row NVDA+control+alt+rightArrow Reads the row horizontally from the current cell rightwards to the last cell in the row.
Read entire column NVDA+control+alt+upArrow Reads the current column vertically from top to bottom without moving the system caret.
Read entire row NVDA+control+alt+leftArrow Reads the current row horizontally from left to right without moving the system caret.

Object Navigation

Name Desktop key Laptop key Touch Description
Report current object NVDA+numpad5 NVDA+shift+o none Reports the current navigator object. Pressing twice spells the information, and pressing 3 times copies this object's name and value to the clipboard.
Move to containing object NVDA+numpad8 NVDA+shift+upArrow flick up (object mode) Moves to the object containing the current navigator object
Move to previous object NVDA+numpad4 NVDA+shift+leftArrow none Moves to the object before the current navigator object
Move to previous object in flattened view NVDA+numpad9 NVDA+shift+[ flick left (object mode) Moves to the previous object in a flattened view of the object navigation hierarchy
Move to next object NVDA+numpad6 NVDA+shift+rightArrow none Moves to the object after the current navigator object
Move to next object in flattened view NVDA+numpad3 NVDA+shift+] flick right (object mode) Moves to the next object in a flattened view of the object navigation hierarchy
Move to first contained object NVDA+numpad2 NVDA+shift+downArrow flick down (object mode) Moves to the first object contained by the current navigator object
Move to focus object NVDA+numpadMinus NVDA+backspace none Moves to the object that currently has the system focus, and also places the review cursor at the position of the System caret, if it is showing
Activate current navigator object NVDA+numpadEnter NVDA+enter double-tap Activates the current navigator object (similar to clicking with the mouse or pressing space when it has the system focus)
Move System focus or caret to current review position NVDA+shift+numpadMinus NVDA+shift+backspace none pressed once Moves the System focus to the current navigator object, pressed twice moves the system caret to the position of the review cursor
Report review cursor location NVDA+shift+numpadDelete NVDA+shift+delete none Reports information about the location of the text or object at the review cursor. For example, this might include the percentage through the document, the distance from the edge of the page or the exact screen position. Pressing twice may provide further detail.
Move review cursor to status bar none none none Reports the Status Bar if NVDA finds one. It also moves the navigator object to this location.

Reviewing Text

Name Desktop key Laptop key Touch Description
Move to top line in review shift+numpad7 NVDA+control+home none Moves the review cursor to the top line of the text
Move to previous line in review numpad7 NVDA+upArrow flick up (text mode) Moves the review cursor to the previous line of text
Report current line in review numpad8 NVDA+shift+. none Announces the current line of text where the review cursor is positioned. Pressing twice spells the line. Pressing three times spells the line using character descriptions.
Move to next line in review numpad9 NVDA+downArrow flick down (text mode) Move the review cursor to the next line of text
Move to bottom line in review shift+numpad9 NVDA+control+end none Moves the review cursor to the bottom line of text
Move to previous word in review numpad4 NVDA+control+leftArrow 2-finger flick left (text mode) Moves the review cursor to the previous word in the text
Report current word in review numpad5 NVDA+control+. none Announces the current word in the text where the review cursor is positioned. Pressing twice spells the word. Pressing three times spells the word using character descriptions.
Move to next word in review numpad6 NVDA+control+rightArrow 2-finger flick right (text mode) Move the review cursor to the next word in the text
Move to start of line in review shift+numpad1 NVDA+home none Moves the review cursor to the start of the current line in the text
Move to previous character in review numpad1 NVDA+leftArrow flick left (text mode) Moves the review cursor to the previous character on the current line in the text
Report current character in review numpad2 NVDA+. none Announces the current character on the line of text where the review cursor is positioned. Pressing twice reports a description or example of that character. Pressing three times reports the numeric value of the character in decimal and hexadecimal.
Move to next character in review numpad3 NVDA+rightArrow flick right (text mode) Move the review cursor to the next character on the current line of text
Move to end of line in review shift+numpad3 NVDA+end none Moves the review cursor to the end of the current line of text
Move to previous page in review NVDA+pageUp NVDA+shift+pageUp none Moves the review cursor to the previous page of text if supported by the application
Move to next page in review NVDA+pageDown NVDA+shift+pageDown none Moves the review cursor to the next page of text if supported by the application
Say all with review numpadPlus NVDA+shift+a 3-finger flick down (text mode) Reads from the current position of the review cursor, moving it as it goes
Select then Copy from review cursor NVDA+f9 NVDA+f9 none Starts the select then copy process from the current position of the review cursor. The actual action is not performed until you tell NVDA where the end of the text range is
Select then Copy to review cursor NVDA+f10 NVDA+f10 none On the first press, text is selected from the position previously set as start marker up to and including the review cursor's current position. If the system caret can reach the text, it will be moved to the selected text. After pressing this key stroke a second time, the text will be copied to the Windows clipboard
Move to marked start for copy in review NVDA+shift+f9 NVDA+shift+f9 none Moves the review cursor to the position previously set start marker for copy
Report text formatting NVDA+shift+f NVDA+shift+f none Reports the formatting of the text where the review cursor is currently situated. Pressing twice shows the information in browse mode
Report current symbol replacement None None none Speaks the symbol where the review cursor is positioned. Pressed twice, shows the symbol and the text used to speak it in browse mode.

Review Modes

Name Desktop key Laptop key Touch Description
Switch to next review mode NVDA+numpad7 NVDA+pageUp 2-finger flick up switches to the next available review mode
Switch to previous review mode NVDA+numpad1 NVDA+pageDown 2-finger flick down switches to the previous available review mode

Navigating with the Mouse

Name Desktop key Laptop key Touch Description
Left mouse button click numpadDivide NVDA+[ none Clicks the left mouse button once. The common double click can be performed by pressing this key twice in quick succession
Left mouse button lock shift+numpadDivide NVDA+control+[ none Locks the left mouse button down. Press again to release it. To drag the mouse, press this key to lock the left button down and then move the mouse either physically or use one of the other mouse routing commands
Right mouse click numpadMultiply NVDA+] tap and hold Clicks the right mouse button once, mostly used to open context menu at the location of the mouse.
Right mouse button lock shift+numpadMultiply NVDA+control+] none Locks the right mouse button down. Press again to release it. To drag the mouse, press this key to lock the right button down and then move the mouse either physically or use one of the other mouse routing commands
Move mouse to current navigator object NVDA+numpadDivide NVDA+shift+m none Moves the mouse to the location of the current navigator object and review cursor
Navigate to the object under the mouse NVDA+numpadMultiply NVDA+shift+n none Set the navigator object to the object located at the position of the mouse

Browse Mode

Name Key Description
Toggle browse/focus modes NVDA+space Toggles between focus mode and browse mode
Exit focus mode escape Switches back to browse mode if focus mode was previously switched to automatically
Refresh browse mode document NVDA+f5 Reloads the current document content (useful if certain content seems to be missing from the document. Not available in Microsoft Word and Outlook.)
Find NVDA+control+f Pops up a dialog in which you can type some text to find in the current document. See searching for text for more information.
Find next NVDA+f3 Finds the next occurrence of the text in the document that you previously searched for
Find previous NVDA+shift+f3 Finds the previous occurrence of the text in the document you previously searched for

Single Letter Navigation

The following keys by themselves jump to the next available element, while adding the shift key causes them to jump to the previous element:

To move to the beginning or end of containing elements such as lists and tables:

Name Key Description
Move to start of container shift+comma Moves to the start of the container (list, table, etc.) where the caret is positioned
Move past end of container comma Moves past the end of the container (list, table, etc.) where the caret is positioned

To toggle single letter navigation on and off for the current document, press NVDA+shift+space.

The Elements List

Name Key Description
Browse mode elements list NVDA+f7 Lists various types of elements in the current document

Searching for text

Name Key Description
Find text NVDA+control+f Opens the search dialog
Find next NVDA+f3 searches the next occurrence of the current search term
Find previous NVDA+shift+f3 searches the previous occurrence of the current search term

Embedded Objects

Name Key Description
Move to containing browse mode document NVDA+control+space Moves the focus out of the current embedded object and into the document that contains it

Reading Mathematical Content

Interactive Navigation

Name Key Description
Interact with math content NVDA+alt+m Begins interaction with math content.

Braille

Braille Input

Pressing dot 7 erases the last entered braille cell or character. Dot 8 translates any braille input and presses the enter key. Pressing dot 7 + dot 8 translates any braille input, but without adding a space or pressing enter.

Content Recognition

Windows OCR

To recognize the text in the current navigator object using Windows OCR, press NVDA+r.

Application Specific Features

Microsoft Word

Automatic Column and Row Header Reading

Name Key Description
Set column headers NVDA+shift+c Pressing this once tells NVDA this is the first header cell in the row that contains column headers, which should be automatically announced when moving between columns below this row. Pressing twice will clear the setting.
Set row headers NVDA+shift+r Pressing this once tells NVDA this is the first header cell in the column that contains row headers, which should be automatically announced when moving between rows after this column. Pressing twice will clear the setting.

Browse Mode in Microsoft Word

To toggle Browse mode on and off in Microsoft Word, press NVDA+space.

The Elements List

While in Browse mode in Microsoft Word, you can access the Elements List by pressing NVDA+f7.

Reporting Comments

To report any comments at the current caret position, press NVDA+alt+c.

Microsoft Excel

Automatic Column and Row Header Reading

Name Key Description
Set column headers NVDA+shift+c Pressing this once tells NVDA this is the first header cell in the row that contains column headers, which should be automatically announced when moving between columns below this row. Pressing twice will clear the setting.
Set row headers NVDA+shift+r Pressing this once tells NVDA this is the first header cell in the column that contains row headers, which should be automatically announced when moving between rows after this column. Pressing twice will clear the setting.

The Elements List

To access the Elements List in Excel, press NVDA+f7.

Reporting Notes

To report any notes for the currently focused cell, press NVDA+alt+c. In Microsoft 2016, 365 and newer, the classic comments in Microsoft Excel have been renamed to "notes".

To add or edit a certain note, in a focused cell, press shift+f2.

Reading Protected Cells

To allow moving to locked cells, switch to Browse Mode by pressing NVDA+space, and then use standard Excel movement commands such as the arrow keys to move around all cells on the current worksheet.

Microsoft PowerPoint

Name Key Description
Toggle speaker notes reading control+shift+s When in a running slide show, this command will toggle between the speaker notes for the slide and the content for the slide. This only affects what NVDA reads, not what is displayed on screen.

foobar2000

Name Key Description
Report remaining time control+shift+r Reports the remaining time of the currently playing track, if any.
Report elapsed time control+shift+e Reports the elapsed time of the currently playing track, if any.
Report track length control+shift+t Reports the length of the currently playing track, if any.

Miranda IM

Name Key Description
Report recent message NVDA+control+1-4 Reports one of the recent messages, depending on the number pressed; e.g. NVDA+control+2 reads the second most recent message.

Poedit

Name Key Description
Report Comments Window control+shift+c Reports any comments in the comments window.
Report notes for translators control+shift+a Reports any notes for translators.

Kindle for PC

You can manually turn to the next page with the pageDown key and turn to the previous page with the pageUp key.

Text Selection

Once you have selected text, press the applications key or shift+f10 to show the available options for working with the selection.

Azardi

When in the table view of added books:

Name Key Description
Enter enter Opens the selected book.
Context menu applications Opens the context menu for the selected book.

Windows Console

The following built-in Windows Console keyboard shortcuts may be useful when reviewing text with NVDA in older versions of Windows Console:

Name Key Description
Scroll up control+upArrow Scrolls the console window up, so earlier text can be read.
Scroll down control+downArrow Scrolls the console window down, so later text can be read.
Scroll to start control+home Scrolls the console window to the beginning of the buffer.
Scroll to end control+end Scrolls the console window to the end of the buffer.

Configuring NVDA

NVDA Settings

General

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Open General settings NVDA+control+g NVDA+control+g The General category of the NVDA Settings dialog sets NVDA's overall behaviour such as interface language and whether or not it should check for updates.

Speech Settings

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Open Speech settings NVDA+control+v NVDA+control+v The Speech category in the NVDA Settings dialog contains options that lets you change the speech synthesizer as well as voice characteristics for the chosen synthesizer.
Punctuation/Symbol Level NVDA+p NVDA+p This allows you to choose the amount of punctuation and other symbols that should be spoken as words.

Select Synthesizer

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Open Select Synthesizer dialog NVDA+control+s NVDA+control+s The Synthesizer dialog, which can be opened by activating the Change... button in the speech category of the NVDA settings dialog, allows you to select which Synthesizer NVDA should use to speak with.

Synth settings ring

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Move to next synth setting NVDA+control+rightArrow NVDA+shift+control+rightArrow Moves to the next available speech setting after the current, wrapping around to the first setting again after the last
Move to previous synth setting NVDA+control+leftArrow NVDA+shift+control+leftArrow Moves to the next available speech setting before the current, wrapping around to the last setting after the first
Increment current synth setting NVDA+control+upArrow NVDA+shift+control+upArrow increases the current speech setting you are on. E.g. increases the rate, chooses the next voice, increases the volume
Decrement current synth setting NVDA+control+downArrow NVDA+shift+control+downArrow decreases the current speech setting you are on. E.g. decreases the rate, chooses the previous voice, decreases the volume

Braille

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Tether Braille NVDA+control+t NVDA+control+t This option allows you to choose whether the braille display will follow the system focus / caret, the navigator object / review cursor, or both.

Select Braille Display

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Open Select Braille Display dialog NVDA+control+a NVDA+control+a The Select Braille Display dialog, which can be opened by activating the Change... button in the Braille category of the NVDA settings dialog, allows you to select which Braille display NVDA should use for braille output.

Audio

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Open Audio settings NVDA+control+u NVDA+control+u The Audio category in the NVDA Settings dialog contains options that let you change several aspects of audio output.
Audio Ducking Mode NVDA+shift+d NVDA+shift+d On Windows 8 and above, this option allows you to choose if NVDA should lower the volume of other applications while NVDA is speaking, or all the time while NVDA is running.

Keyboard

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Open Keyboard settings NVDA+control+k NVDA+control+k The Keyboard category in the NVDA Settings dialog contains options that set how NVDA behaves as you use and type on your keyboard.
Speak Typed Characters NVDA+2 NVDA+2 When enabled, NVDA will announce all characters you type on the keyboard.
Speak Typed Words NVDA+3 NVDA+3 When enabled, NVDA will announce all words you type on the keyboard.
Speak Command Keys NVDA+4 NVDA+4 When enabled, NVDA will announce all non-character keys you type on the keyboard. This includes key combinations such as control plus another letter.

Mouse

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Open Mouse settings NVDA+control+m NVDA+control+m The Mouse category in the NVDA Settings dialog allows NVDA to track the mouse, play mouse coordinate beeps and sets other mouse usage options.
Enable mouse tracking NVDA+m NVDA+m When enabled, NVDA will announce the text currently under the mouse pointer, as you move it around the screen. This allows you to find things on the screen, by physically moving the mouse, rather than trying to find them through object navigation.

Review Cursor

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Follow System Focus NVDA+7 NVDA+7 When enabled, The review cursor will always be placed in the same object as the current system focus whenever the focus changes.
Follow System Caret NVDA+6 NVDA+6 When enabled, the review cursor will automatically be moved to the position of the System caret each time it moves.

Object Presentation

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Open Object Presentation settings NVDA+control+o NVDA+control+o The Object Presentation category in the NVDA Settings dialog is used to set how much information NVDA will present about controls such as description, position information and so on.
Progress bar output NVDA+u NVDA+u This option controls how NVDA reports progress bar updates to you.
Report dynamic content changes NVDA+5 NVDA+5 Toggles the announcement of new content in particular objects such as terminals and the history control in chat programs.

Browse Mode

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Open Browse Mode settings NVDA+control+b NVDA+control+b The Browse Mode category in the NVDA Settings dialog is used to configure NVDA's behaviour when you read and navigate complex documents such as web pages.
Use screen layout NVDA+v NVDA+v This option allows you to specify whether browse mode should place clickable content (links, buttons and fields) on its own line, or if it should keep it in the flow of text as it is visually shown.
Automatically set system focus to focusable elements NVDA+8 NVDA+8 Disabled by default, this option allows you to choose if the system focus should automatically be set to elements that can take the system focus (links, form fields, etc.) when navigating content with the browse mode caret.

Document Formatting

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Open Document Formatting settings NVDA+control+d NVDA+control+d Most of the options in this category are for configuring what type of formatting you wish to have reported as you move the cursor around documents.

Advanced Settings

To "Report summary of any annotation details at the system caret", press NVDA+d.

Saving and Reloading the configuration

Name Desktop key Laptop key Description
Save configuration NVDA+control+c NVDA+control+c Saves your current configuration so that it is not lost when you exit NVDA
Revert configuration NVDA+control+r NVDA+control+r Pressing once resets your configuration to when you last saved it. Pressing three times will reset it back to factory defaults.

Configuration Profiles

Basic Management

Supported Braille Displays

Freedom Scientific Focus/PAC Mate Series

Name Key
Scroll braille display back topRouting1 (first cell on display)
Scroll braille display forward topRouting20/40/80 (last cell on display)
Scroll braille display back leftAdvanceBar
Scroll braille display forward rightAdvanceBar
Toggle braille tethered to leftGDFButton+rightGDFButton
Toggle left wiz wheel action leftWizWheelPress
Move back using left wiz wheel action leftWizWheelUp
Move forward using left wiz wheel action leftWizWheelDown
Toggle right wiz wheel action rightWizWheelPress
Move back using right wiz wheel action rightWizWheelUp
Move forward using right wiz wheel action rightWizWheelDown
Route to braille cell routing
shift+tab key brailleSpaceBar+dot1+dot2
tab key brailleSpaceBar+dot4+dot5
upArrow key brailleSpaceBar+dot1
downArrow key brailleSpaceBar+dot4
control+leftArrow key brailleSpaceBar+dot2
control+rightArrow key brailleSpaceBar+dot5
leftArrow brailleSpaceBar+dot3
rightArrow key brailleSpaceBar+dot6
home key brailleSpaceBar+dot1+dot3
end key brailleSpaceBar+dot4+dot6
control+home key brailleSpaceBar+dot1+dot2+dot3
control+end key brailleSpaceBar+dot4+dot5+dot6
alt key brailleSpaceBar+dot1+dot3+dot4
alt+tab key brailleSpaceBar+dot2+dot3+dot4+dot5
alt+shift+tab key brailleSpaceBar+dot1+dot2+dot5+dot6
windows+tab key brailleSpaceBar+dot2+dot3+dot4
escape key brailleSpaceBar+dot1+dot5
windows key brailleSpaceBar+dot2+dot4+dot5+dot6
space key brailleSpaceBar
Toggle control key brailleSpaceBar+dot3+dot8
Toggle alt key brailleSpaceBar+dot6+dot8
Toggle windows key brailleSpaceBar+dot4+dot8
Toggle NVDA key brailleSpaceBar+dot5+dot8
Toggle shift key brailleSpaceBar+dot7+dot8
Toggle control and shift keys brailleSpaceBar+dot3+dot7+dot8
Toggle alt and shift keys brailleSpaceBar+dot6+dot7+dot8
Toggle windows and shift keys brailleSpaceBar+dot4+dot7+dot8
Toggle NVDA and shift keys brailleSpaceBar+dot5+dot7+dot8
Toggle control and alt keys brailleSpaceBar+dot3+dot6+dot8
Toggle control, alt, and shift keys brailleSpaceBar+dot3+dot6+dot7+dot8
windows+d key (minimize all applications) brailleSpaceBar+dot1+dot2+dot3+dot4+dot5+dot6
Report Current Line brailleSpaceBar+dot1+dot4
NVDA menu brailleSpaceBar+dot1+dot3+dot4+dot5

For newer Focus models that contain rocker bar keys (focus 40, focus 80 and focus blue):

Name Key
Move braille display to previous line leftRockerBarUp, rightRockerBarUp
Move braille display to next line leftRockerBarDown, rightRockerBarDown

For Focus 80 only:

Name Key
Scroll braille display back leftBumperBarUp, rightBumperBarUp
Scroll braille display forward leftBumperBarDown, rightBumperBarDown

Optelec ALVA 6 series/protocol converter

Name Key
Scroll braille display back t1, etouch1
Move braille display to previous line t2
Move to current focus t3
Move braille display to next line t4
Scroll braille display forward t5, etouch3
Route to braille cell routing
Report text formatting under braille cell secondary routing
Toggle HID keyboard simulation t1+spEnter
Move to top line in review t1+t2
Move to bottom line in review t4+t5
Toggle braille tethered to t1+t3
Report title etouch2
Report status bar etouch4
shift+tab key sp1
alt key sp2, alt
escape key sp3
tab key sp4
upArrow key spUp
downArrow key spDown
leftArrow key spLeft
rightArrow key spRight
enter key spEnter, enter
Report date/time sp2+sp3
NVDA Menu sp1+sp3
windows+d key (minimize all applications) sp1+sp4
windows+b key (focus system tray) sp3+sp4
windows key sp1+sp2, windows
alt+tab key sp2+sp4
control+home key t3+spUp
control+end key t3+spDown
home key t3+spLeft
end key t3+spRight
control key control

Handy Tech Displays

Name Key
Scroll braille display back left, up, b3
Scroll braille display forward right, down, b6
Move braille display to previous line b4
Move braille display to next line b5
Route to braille cell routing
shift+tab key esc, left triple action key up+down
alt key b2+b4+b5
escape key b4+b6
tab key enter, right triple action key up+down
enter key esc+enter, left+right triple action key up+down, joystickAction
upArrow key joystickUp
downArrow key joystickDown
leftArrow key joystickLeft
rightArrow key joystickRight
NVDA Menu b2+b4+b5+b6
Toggle braille tethered to b2
Toggle the braille cursor b1
Toggle focus context presentation b7
Toggle braille input space+b1+b3+b4 (space+capital B)

MDV Lilli

Name Key
Scroll braille display backward LF
Scroll braille display forward RG
Move braille display to previous line UP
Move braille display to next line DN
Route to braille cell route
shift+tab key SLF
tab key SRG
alt+tab key SDN
alt+shift+tab key SUP

Baum/Humanware/APH/Orbit Braille Displays

Name Key
Scroll braille display back d2
Scroll braille display forward d5
Move braille display to previous line d1
Move braille display to next line d3
Route to braille cell routing
shift+tab key space+dot1+dot3
tab key space+dot4+dot6
alt key space+dot1+dot3+dot4 (space+m)
escape key space+dot1+dot5 (space+e)
windows key space+dot3+dot4
alt+tab key space+dot2+dot3+dot4+dot5 (space+t)
NVDA Menu space+dot1+dot3+dot4+dot5 (space+n)
windows+d key (minimize all applications) space+dot1+dot4+dot5 (space+d)
Say all space+dot1+dot2+dot3+dot4+dot5+dot6

For displays which have a joystick:

Name Key
upArrow key up
downArrow key down
leftArrow key left
rightArrow key right
enter key select

hedo ProfiLine USB

Name Key
Scroll braille display back K1
Scroll braille display forward K3
Move braille display to previous line B2
Move braille display to next line B5
Route to braille cell routing
Toggle braille tethered to K2
Say all B6

hedo MobilLine USB

Name Key
Scroll braille display back K1
Scroll braille display forward K3
Move braille display to previous line B2
Move braille display to next line B5
Route to braille cell routing
Toggle braille tethered to K2
Say all B6

HumanWare Brailliant BI/B Series / BrailleNote Touch

Key assignments for All models

Name Key
Scroll braille display back left
Scroll braille display forward right
Move braille display to previous line up
Move braille display to next line down
Route to braille cell routing
Toggle braille tethered to up+down
upArrow key space+dot1
downArrow key space+dot4
leftArrow key space+dot3
rightArrow key space+dot6
shift+tab key space+dot1+dot3
tab key space+dot4+dot6
alt key space+dot1+dot3+dot4 (space+m)
escape key space+dot1+dot5 (space+e)
enter key dot8
windows key space+dot3+dot4
alt+tab key space+dot2+dot3+dot4+dot5 (space+t)
NVDA Menu space+dot1+dot3+dot4+dot5 (space+n)
windows+d key (minimize all applications) space+dot1+dot4+dot5 (space+d)
Say all space+dot1+dot2+dot3+dot4+dot5+dot6

Key assignments for Brailliant BI 32, BI 40 and B 80

Name Key
NVDA Menu c1+c3+c4+c5 (command n)
windows+d key (minimize all applications) c1+c4+c5 (command d)
Say all c1+c2+c3+c4+c5+c6

Key assignments for Brailliant BI 14

Name Key
up arrow key joystick up
down arrow key joystick down
left arrow key joystick left
right arrow key joystick right
enter key joystick action

HIMS Braille Sense/Braille EDGE/Smart Beetle/Sync Braille Series

Name Key
Route to braille cell routing
Scroll braille display back leftSideScrollUp, rightSideScrollUp, leftSideScroll
Scroll braille display forward leftSideScrollDown, rightSideScrollDown, rightSideScroll
Move braille display to previous line leftSideScrollUp+rightSideScrollUp
Move braille display to next line leftSideScrollDown+rightSideScrollDown
Move to previous line in review rightSideUpArrow
Move to next line in review rightSideDownArrow
Move to previous character in review rightSideLeftArrow
Move to next character in review rightSideRightArrow
Move to current focus leftSideScrollUp+leftSideScrollDown, rightSideScrollUp+rightSideScrollDown, leftSideScroll+rightSideScroll
control key smartbeetle:f1, brailleedge:f3
windows key f7, smartbeetle:f2
alt key dot1+dot3+dot4+space, f2, smartbeetle:f3, brailleedge:f4
shift key f5
insert key dot2+dot4+space, f6
applications key dot1+dot2+dot3+dot4+space, f8
Caps Lock key dot1+dot3+dot6+space
tab key dot4+dot5+space, f3, brailleedge:f2
shift+alt+tab key f2+f3+f1
alt+tab key f2+f3
shift+tab key dot1+dot2+space
end key dot4+dot6+space
control+end key dot4+dot5+dot6+space
home key dot1+dot3+space, smartbeetle:f4
control+home key dot1+dot2+dot3+space
alt+f4 key dot1+dot3+dot5+dot6+space
leftArrow key dot3+space, leftSideLeftArrow
control+shift+leftArrow key dot2+dot8+space+f1
control+leftArrow key dot2+space
shift+alt+leftArrow key dot2+dot7+f1
alt+leftArrow key dot2+dot7
rightArrow key dot6+space, leftSideRightArrow
control+shift+rightArrow key dot5+dot8+space+f1
control+rightArrow key dot5+space
shift+alt+rightArrow key dot5+dot7+f1
alt+rightArrow key dot5+dot7
pageUp key dot1+dot2+dot6+space
control+pageUp key dot1+dot2+dot6+dot8+space
upArrow key dot1+space, leftSideUpArrow
control+shift+upArrow key dot2+dot3+dot8+space+f1
control+upArrow key dot2+dot3+space
shift+alt+upArrow key dot2+dot3+dot7+f1
alt+upArrow key dot2+dot3+dot7
shift+upArrow key leftSideScrollDown+space
pageDown key dot3+dot4+dot5+space
control+pageDown key dot3+dot4+dot5+dot8+space
downArrow key dot4+space, leftSideDownArrow
control+shift+downArrow key dot5+dot6+dot8+space+f1
control+downArrow key dot5+dot6+space
shift+alt+downArrow key dot5+dot6+dot7+f1
alt+downArrow key dot5+dot6+dot7
shift+downArrow key space+rightSideScrollDown
escape key dot1+dot5+space, f4, brailleedge:f1
delete key dot1+dot3+dot5+space, dot1+dot4+dot5+space
f1 key dot1+dot2+dot5+space
f3 key dot1+dot4+dot8+space
f4 key dot7+f3
windows+b key dot1+dot2+f1
windows+d key dot1+dot4+dot5+f1
control+insert key smartbeetle:f1+rightSideScroll
alt+insert key smartbeetle:f3+rightSideScroll

Seika Braille Displays

Seika Version 3, 4, and 5 (40 cells), Seika80 (80 cells)

Name Key
Scroll braille display back left
Scroll braille display forward right
Move braille display to previous line b3
Move braille display to next line b4
Toggle braille tethered to b5
Say all b6
tab b1
shift+tab b2
alt+tab b1+b2
NVDA Menu left+right
Route to braille cell routing

MiniSeika (16, 24 cells), V6, and V6Pro (40 cells)

Name Key
Scroll braille display back left
Scroll braille display forward right
Say all space+Backspace
NVDA Menu Left+Right
Move braille display to previous line LJ up
Move braille display to next line LJ down
Toggle braille tethered to LJ center
tab LJ right
shift+tab LJ left
upArrow key RJ up
downArrow key RJ down
leftArrow key RJ left
rightArrow key RJ right
Route to braille cell routing
shift+upArrow key Space+RJ up, Backspace+RJ up
shift+downArrow key Space+RJ down, Backspace+RJ down
shift+leftArrow key Space+RJ left, Backspace+RJ left
shift+rightArrow key Space+RJ right, Backspace+RJ right
enter key RJ center, dot8
escape key Space+RJ center
windows key Backspace+RJ center
space key Space, Backspace
backspace key dot7
pageup key space+LJ right
pagedown key space+LJ left
home key space+LJ up
end key space+LJ down
control+home key backspace+LJ up
control+end key backspace+LJ down

The following Braille displays are supported:

These displays do not support NVDA's automatic background braille display detection functionality.

Most devices have an Easy Access Bar (EAB) that allows intuitive and fast operation. The EAB can be moved in four directions where generally each direction has two switches. The C and Live series are the only exceptions to this rule.

The c-series and some other displays have two routing rows whereby the upper row is used to report formatting information. Holding one of the upper routing keys and pressing the EAB on c-series devices emulates the second switch state. The live series displays have one routing row only and the EAB has one step per direction. The second step may be emulated by pressing one of the routing keys and pressing the EAB in the corresponding direction. Pressing and holding the up, down, right and left keys (or EAB) causes the corresponding action to be repeated.

Generally, the following keys are available on these braille displays:

Name Key
l1 Left front key
l2 Left rear key
r1 Right front key
r2 Right rear key
up 1 Step up
up2 2 Steps up
left 1 Step left
left2 2 Steps left
right 1 Step right
right2 2 Steps right
dn 1 Step down
dn2 2 Steps down

Following are the Papenmeier command assignments for NVDA:

Papenmeier BRAILLEX Newer Models

Name Key
Scroll braille display back left
Scroll braille display forward right
Move braille display to previous line up
Move braille display to next line dn
Route to braille cell routing
Report current character in review l1
Activate current navigator object l2
Toggle braille tethered to r2
Report title l1+up
Report Status Bar l2+down
Move to containing object up2
Move to first contained object dn2
Move to previous object left2
Move to next object right2
Report text formatting under braille cell upper routing row
escape key space with dot 7
upArrow key space with dot 2
leftArrow key space with dot 1
rightArrow key space with dot 4
downArrow space with dot 5
control key lt+dot2
alt key lt+dot3
control+escape key space with dot 1 2 3 4 5 6
tab key space with dot 3 7

Papenmeier Braille BRAILLEX Older Models

Devices with EAB:

Name Key
Scroll braille display back left
Scroll braille display forward right
Move braille display to previous line up
Move braille display to next line dn
Route to braille cell routing
Report current character in review l1
Activate current navigator object l2
Report title l1up
Report Status Bar l2down
Move to containing object up2
Move to first contained object dn2
Move to next object right2
Move to previous object left2
Report text formatting under braille cell upper routing strip

BRAILLEX Tiny:

Name Key
Report current character in review l1
Activate current navigator object l2
Scroll braille display back left
Scroll braille display forward right
Move braille display to previous line up
Move braille display to next line dn
Toggle braille tethered to r2
Move to containing object r1+up
Move to first contained object r1+dn
Move to previous object r1+left
Move to next object r1+right
Report text formatting under braille cell upper routing strip
Report title l1+up
Report status bar l2+down

BRAILLEX 2D Screen:

Name Key
Report current character in review l1
Activate current navigator object l2
Toggle braille tethered to r2
Report text formatting under braille cell upper routing strip
Move braille display to previous line up
Scroll braille display back left
Scroll braille display forward right
Move braille display to next line dn
Move to next object left2
Move to containing object up2
Move to first contained object dn2
Move to previous object right2

HumanWare BrailleNote

Name Key
Scroll braille display back back
Scroll braille display forward advance
Move braille display to previous line previous
Move braille display to next line next
Route to braille cell routing
NVDA menu space+dot1+dot3+dot4+dot5 (space+n)
Toggle braille tethered to previous+next
Up arrow key space+dot1
Down arrow key space+dot4
Left Arrow key space+dot3
Right arrow key space+dot6
Page up key space+dot1+dot3
Page down key space+dot4+dot6
Home key space+dot1+dot2
End key space+dot4+dot5
Control+home keys space+dot1+dot2+dot3
Control+end keys space+dot4+dot5+dot6
Space key space
Enter space+dot8
Backspace space+dot7
Tab key space+dot2+dot3+dot4+dot5 (space+t)
Shift+tab keys space+dot1+dot2+dot5+dot6
Windows key space+dot2+dot4+dot5+dot6 (space+w)
Alt key space+dot1+dot3+dot4 (space+m)
Toggle input help space+dot2+dot3+dot6 (space+lower h)

Following are commands assigned to BrailleNote QT when it is not in braille input mode.

Name Key
NVDA menu read+n
Up arrow key upArrow
Down arrow key downArrow
Left Arrow key leftArrow
Right arrow key rightArrow
Page up key function+upArrow
Page down key function+downArrow
Home key function+leftArrow
End key function+rightArrow
Control+home keys read+t
Control+end keys read+b
Enter key enter
Backspace key backspace
Tab key tab
Shift+tab keys shift+tab
Windows key read+w
Alt key read+m
Toggle input help read+1

Following are commands assigned to the scroll wheel:

Name Key
Up arrow key upArrow
Down arrow key downArrow
Left Arrow key leftArrow
Right arrow key rightArrow
Enter key centre button
Tab key scroll wheel clockwise
Shift+tab keys scroll wheel counterclockwise

EcoBraille

Name Key
Scroll braille display back T2
Scroll braille display forward T4
Move braille display to previous line T1
Move braille display to next line T5
Route to braille cell Routing
Activate current navigator object T3
Switch to next review mode F1
Move to containing object F2
Switch to previous review mode F3
Move to previous object F4
Report current object F5
Move to next object F6
Move to focus object F7
Move to first contained object F8
Move System focus or caret to current review position F9
Report review cursor location F0
Toggle braille tethered to A

SuperBraille

Name Key
Scroll braille display back numpadMinus
Scroll braille display forward numpadPlus

Eurobraille displays

Braille keyboard functions

Name Key
Erase the last entered braille cell or character backspace
Translate any braille input and press the enter key backspace+space
Toggle NVDA key dot3+dot5+space
insert key dot1+dot3+dot5+space, dot3+dot4+dot5+space
delete key dot3+dot6+space
home key dot1+dot2+dot3+space
end key dot4+dot5+dot6+space
leftArrow key dot2+space
rightArrow key dot5+space
upArrow key dot1+space
downArrow key dot6+space
pageUp key dot1+dot3+space
pageDown key dot4+dot6+space
numpad1 key dot1+dot6+backspace
numpad2 key dot1+dot2+dot6+backspace
numpad3 key dot1+dot4+dot6+backspace
numpad4 key dot1+dot4+dot5+dot6+backspace
numpad5 key dot1+dot5+dot6+backspace
numpad6 key dot1+dot2+dot4+dot6+backspace
numpad7 key dot1+dot2+dot4+dot5+dot6+backspace
numpad8 key dot1+dot2+dot5+dot6+backspace
numpad9 key dot2+dot4+dot6+backspace
numpadInsert key dot3+dot4+dot5+dot6+backspace
numpadDecimal key dot2+backspace
numpadDivide key dot3+dot4+backspace
numpadMultiply key dot3+dot5+backspace
numpadMinus key dot3+dot6+backspace
numpadPlus key dot2+dot3+dot5+backspace
numpadEnter key dot3+dot4+dot5+backspace
escape key dot1+dot2+dot4+dot5+space, l2
tab key dot2+dot5+dot6+space, l3
shift+tab keys dot2+dot3+dot5+space
printScreen key dot1+dot3+dot4+dot6+space
pause key dot1+dot4+space
applications key dot5+dot6+backspace
f1 key dot1+backspace
f2 key dot1+dot2+backspace
f3 key dot1+dot4+backspace
f4 key dot1+dot4+dot5+backspace
f5 key dot1+dot5+backspace
f6 key dot1+dot2+dot4+backspace
f7 key dot1+dot2+dot4+dot5+backspace
f8 key dot1+dot2+dot5+backspace
f9 key dot2+dot4+backspace
f10 key dot2+dot4+dot5+backspace
f11 key dot1+dot3+backspace
f12 key dot1+dot2+dot3+backspace
windows key dot1+dot2+dot4+dot5+dot6+space
Toggle windows key dot1+dot2+dot3+dot4+backspace, dot2+dot4+dot5+dot6+space
capsLock key dot7+backspace, dot8+backspace
numLock key dot3+backspace, dot6+backspace
shift key dot7+space
Toggle shift key dot1+dot7+space, dot4+dot7+space
control key dot7+dot8+space
Toggle control key dot1+dot7+dot8+space, dot4+dot7+dot8+space
alt key dot8+space
Toggle alt key dot1+dot8+space, dot4+dot8+space
Toggle HID Keyboard simulation switch1Left+joystick1Down, switch1Right+joystick1Down

b.book keyboard commands

Name Key
Scroll braille display back backward
Scroll braille display forward forward
Move to current focus backward+forward
Route to braille cell routing
leftArrow key joystick2Left
rightArrow key joystick2Right
upArrow key joystick2Up
downArrow key joystick2Down
enter key joystick2Center
escape key c1
tab key c2
Toggle shift key c3
Toggle control key c4
Toggle alt key c5
Toggle NVDA key c6
control+Home key c1+c2+c3
control+End key c4+c5+c6

b.note keyboard commands

Name Key
Scroll braille display back leftKeypadLeft
Scroll braille display forward leftKeypadRight
Route to braille cell routing
Report text formatting under braille cell doubleRouting
Move to next line in review leftKeypadDown
Switch to previous review mode leftKeypadLeft+leftKeypadUp
Switch to next review mode leftKeypadRight+leftKeypadDown
leftArrow key rightKeypadLeft
rightArrow key rightKeypadRight
upArrow key rightKeypadUp
downArrow key rightKeypadDown
control+home key rightKeypadLeft+rightKeypadUp
control+end key rightKeypadLeft+rightKeypadUp

Esys keyboard commands

Name Key
Scroll braille display back switch1Left
Scroll braille display forward switch1Right
Move to current focus switch1Center
Route to braille cell routing
Report text formatting under braille cell doubleRouting
Move to previous line in review joystick1Up
Move to next line in review joystick1Down
Move to previous character in review joystick1Left
Move to next character in review joystick1Right
leftArrow key joystick2Left
rightArrow key joystick2Right
upArrow key joystick2Up
downArrow key joystick2Down
enter key joystick2Center

Esytime keyboard commands

Name Key
Scroll braille display back l1
Scroll braille display forward l8
Move to current focus l1+l8
Route to braille cell routing
Report text formatting under braille cell doubleRouting
Move to previous line in review joystick1Up
Move to next line in review joystick1Down
Move to previous character in review joystick1Left
Move to next character in review joystick1Right
leftArrow key joystick2Left
rightArrow key joystick2Right
upArrow key joystick2Up
downArrow key joystick2Down
enter key joystick2Center
escape key l2
tab key l3
Toggle shift key l4
Toggle control key l5
Toggle alt key l6
Toggle NVDA key l7
control+home key l1+l2+l3, l2+l3+l4
control+end key l6+l7+l8, l5+l6+l7
Toggle HID Keyboard simulation l1+joystick1Down, l8+joystick1Down

Nattiq nBraille Displays

Name Key
Scroll braille display back up
Scroll braille display forward down
Move braille display to previous line left
Move braille display to next line right
Route to braille cell routing

BRLTTY

Name BRLTTY command
Scroll braille display back fwinlt (go left one window)
Scroll braille display forward fwinrt (go right one window)
Move braille display to previous line lnup (go up one line)
Move braille display to next line lndn (go down one line)
Route to braille cell route (bring cursor to character)
Toggle input help learn (enter/leave command learn mode)
Open the NVDA menu prefmenu (enter/leave preferences menu)
Revert configuration prefload (restore preferences from disk)
Save configuration prefsave (save preferences to disk)
Report time time (show current date and time)
Speak the line where the review cursor is located say_line (speak current line)
Say all using review cursor say_below (speak from current line through bottom of screen)

Tivomatic Caiku Albatross 46/80

Name Key
Move to top line in review home1, home2
Move to bottom line in review end1, end2
Sets the navigator object to the current focus eCursor1, eCursor2
Move to current focus cursor1, cursor2
Moves the mouse pointer to the current navigator object home1+home2
Sets the navigator object to the current object under the mouse pointer and speaks it end1+end2
Moves focus to current navigator object eCursor1+eCursor2
Toggle braille tethered to cursor1+cursor2
Move braille display to previous line up1, up2, up3
Move braille display to next line down1, down2, down3
Scroll braille display back left, lWheelLeft, rWheelLeft
Scroll braille display forward right, lWheelRight, rWheelRight
Route to braille cell routing
Report text formatting under braille cell secondary routing
Toggle the way context information is presented in braille attribute1+attribute3
Toggles between the speech modes of off, beep and talk attribute2+attribute4
Switches to the previous review mode (e.g. object, document or screen) f1
Switches to the next review mode (e.g. object, document or screen) f2
Moves the navigator object to the object containing it f3
Moves the navigator object to the first object inside it f4
Moves the navigator object to the previous object f5
Moves the navigator object to the next object f6
Reports the current navigator object f7
Reports information about the location of the text or object at the review cursor f8
Shows braille settings f1+home1, f9+home2
Reads status bar and moves navigator object into it f1+end1, f9+end2
Cycle the braille cursor shape f1+eCursor1, f9+eCursor2
Toggle the braille cursor f1+cursor1, f9+cursor2
Cycle the braille show messages mode f1+f2, f9+f10
Cycle the braille show selection state f1+f5, f9+f14
Cycle the "braille move system caret when routing review cursor" states f1+f3, f9+f11
Performs the default action on the current navigator object f7+f8
Reports date/time f9
Reports battery status and time remaining if AC is not plugged in f10
Reports title f11
Reports status bar f12
Reports the current line under the application cursor f13
Say all f14
Reports current character under review cursor f15
Reports the line of the current navigator object where the review cursor is situated f16
Speaks the word of the current navigator object where the review cursor is situated f15+f16
Moves the review cursor to the previous line of the current navigator object and speaks it lWheelUp, rWheelUp
Moves the review cursor to the next line of the current navigator object and speaks it lWheelDown, rWheelDown
Windows+d key (minimize all applications) attribute1
Windows+e key (this computer) attribute2
Windows+b key (focus system tray) attribute3
Windows+i key (Windows settings) attribute4

Standard HID Braille displays

Name Key
Scroll braille display back pan left or rocker up
Scroll braille display forward pan right or rocker down
Route to braille cell routing set 1
Toggle braille tethered to up+down
upArrow key joystick up, dpad up or space+dot1
downArrow key joystick down, dpad down or space+dot4
leftArrow key space+dot3, joystick left or dpad left
rightArrow key space+dot6, joystick right or dpad right
shift+tab key space+dot1+dot3
tab key space+dot4+dot6
alt key space+dot1+dot3+dot4 (space+m)
escape key space+dot1+dot5 (space+e)
enter key dot8, joystick center or dpad center
windows key space+dot3+dot4
alt+tab key space+dot2+dot3+dot4+dot5 (space+t)
NVDA Menu space+dot1+dot3+dot4+dot5 (space+n)
windows+d key (minimize all applications) space+dot1+dot4+dot5 (space+d)
Say all space+dot1+dot2+dot3+dot4+dot5+dot6