Problem
A customer wishes to have JAWS automatically read out Excel column/row titles in an Excel file.
Resolution
It is possible by insertion of named ranges to have JAWS automatically read row or column titles, when created and saved will enable JAWS to automatically read these items as the user navigates within the worksheet using the arrow keys. Pick the scenario that best matches the desired outcome.
Method 1 - Using Excel named ranges
Please review the desired scenarios below to set JAWS accordingly.
JAWS reads both column and row titles automatically
For this scenario to work it is advised that the row titles and the column titles intersect at cell Aa cell location (for example A1) where the column titles are on row 1 and row titles start at the top oc column 1 on the sheet.
- Use cursor keys to locate the cell point on the cell where both column and row titles intersect.
- Press SHIFT+F3 to open the range name manager.
- Press ALT+N to activate the New range button. You can also TAB to the button and press SPACEBAR if this is easier.
- Then enter the word: Title
- Press TAB to reach OK and press SPACEBAR on it.
- Then press ESCAPE key to exit the ranges dialogue.
Result: JAWS will read the column or row headers as you navigate around the sheet.
JAWS reads column titles only
For this scenario to work there must be a row of column titles (one per cell) at or near the top of the sheet.
- Use arrow keys to locate the row the column titles are placed, and move to the left most of these.
- Press CONTROL+SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW to highlight from the left all column titles in the row.
- Press shift+F3 to open the name range manager.
- Press ALT+N to activate the New range button. You can also TAB to the button and press SPACEBAR if this is easier.
- Then enter the text exactly: ColumnTitle
- Press TAB to reach OK and press SPACEBAR on it.
- Then press ESCAPE key to exit the ranges dialogue.
**Result: ** JAWS will read column titles when pressing left/right arrow navigating worksheet data.
JAWS read row titles only
To read row titles there must be column on the sheet populated with row titels.
- Navigate to the column where the row titles are located.
- Then press CONTROL+SHIFT+DOWN ARROW to highlight all row titles in that column.
- Press shift+F3 to open the name range manager.
- Press ALT+N to activate the New range button. You can also TAB to the button and press SPACEBAR if this is easier.
- Then enter the text exactly: RowTitle
- Press TAB to reach OK and press SPACEBAR on it.
- Then press ESCAPE key to exit the ranges dialogue.
Result: JAWS reads the row titles as you navigate up/down rows in worksheet data.
Method 2 - Allow JAWS to define column/row data
Using this method JAWS will create a separate file for containing the information JAWS needs for row and column information. This method may work where method 1 does not yield the desired results.
- To define column titles move to the left most cell on the row where column titles are placed, then press JAWSKey+CTRL+ALT+C
- To define row titles move to the column and first cell where row titles are shown on left, then presss JAWSKey+CTRL+ALT+R defint row titles