Learning the layout of the calendar board view in Outlook with a screen reader
Applies ToOutlook on the web Outlook Web App

This article is for people who use a screen reader program such as Windows Narrator, JAWS, or NVDA with Microsoft 365 products. This article is part of the Microsoft 365 screen reader support content set where you can find more accessibility information on our apps. For general help, visit Microsoft Support.

Learn about the features of the calendar board view in Outlook on the web, and how to use them together with a keyboard and a screen reader. We have tested it with Narrator in Microsoft Edge and JAWS and NVDA in Chrome, but it might work with other screen readers and web browsers as long as they follow common accessibility standards and techniques.

To learn about keyboard shortcuts for working with the calendar board view, refer to Keyboard shortcuts for Outlook.

Notes: 

  • 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.

  • To learn more about screen readers, go to How screen readers work with Microsoft 365.

  • When you use Outlook on the web, we recommend that you use Microsoft Edge as your web browser. Because Outlook on 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 Outlook on the web.

To open the board view while you have the Outlook on the web calendar open, press Shift+Alt+6.

To cycle through the main elements of the board view, press Ctrl+F6 until you hear "Jump to new event, button." Then press the Tab key until you hear the name of the element you want to move to, and press Enter. The main elements are:

  • The New event button. Press Enter to start creating a new calendar event in a new pop-up window.

  • The calendar view options toolbar. Use the Left and Right arrow keys to browse the options for moving the focus to the current day, adding and deleting board items, and changing the calendar view displayed on the board, for example. Press Enter to make a selection.

    Note: If your screen reader announces that a menu item is collapsed, for example, "Add to board, menu item, collapsed," press Spacebar to expand the menu, use the Down and Up arrow keys to browse the options, and press Enter to make a selection.

  • The board itself. Press the Tab key or Shift+Tab to navigate between and inside the items you have on the board. These can include calendars, tasks lists, sticky notes, links, goals, and even reminders.

  • The Feedback button. Press Enter to open the Feedback pane for sending email feedback to Microsoft.

  • The Zoom controls. Use the Left and Right arrow keys to browse the options for zooming in and out, and resetting the zoom level. Press Enter to make a selection.

See also

Use a screen reader to create a calendar board in Outlook

Use a screen reader to add items to a calendar board in Outlook

Keyboard shortcuts for Outlook

Basic tasks using a screen reader with the calendar in Outlook

Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Outlook Calendar

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.

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