JAWS – Automatically reading font attribute information in Microsoft Word

JAWS – Automatically reading font attribute information in Microsoft Word

Problem

A JAWS Customer may use the hotkey JAWSKey+F to read off the font information whilst in a Microsoft Word document but that may not be convenient in a large or complex document with frequent font attribute changes.

Resolution

JAWS has various Speech and Sounds templates that can be used to allow JAWS to automatically alert users of these changes. This works when doing either of the following:
• Using cursor keys to navigate through a document
• When the use activates the SayAll desktop hotkey JAWSKEY+DOWN ARROW or laptop CAPSLOCK+A hotkey.

For JAWS users (keystrokes)

  1. Open Microsoft Word and then press JAWSKey+6 on the number row. This will open Settings Centre with the Microsoft Word configuration active.
  2. Then type the word “scheme” without the quotes into the search box then down arrow to Active Speech and Sounds Scheme and press F6.
  3. Then press ALT+DOWN arrow to open the drop down and use arrows to locate “Classic (attributes)” scheme and press ENTER to select it.
  4. Then press F6 again and press TAB to reach the Apply button and press SPACEBAR on it and then press ENTER to dismiss the dialogue.

For sighted assistants (mouse)

  1. Click the JAWS button the taskbar or right click the JAWS task tray icon.
  2. Then click Utilities > Settings Centre.
  3. In Settings Centre click the drop down at the top left to open the list of configurations and select “Word” configuration.
  4. Then enter the text “scheme” without the quotes and click Activae Speech and Sounds Scheme.
  5. On the right click the scheme drop down and click “Classic (Attributes)” scheme and then click Apply button.
  6. Then click OK to dismiss the dialogue and have the end user test in a Microsoft Word document.

In Use

Now when you press JAWSKey+down arrow for SayAll the bold information will be spoken as you go down the document text.