Use a screen reader to create a poll in Microsoft Teams
Applies ToMicrosoft Forms Microsoft Forms Pro Microsoft Teams

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.

Use Microsoft Teams with your keyboard and a screen reader to create and send an instant poll within your Microsoft Teams app. We have tested it with Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA, but it might work with other screen readers as long as they follow common accessibility standards and techniques. You'll learn how to add questions and options to the poll, and how to post it to get responses.

Notes: 

Create a poll

  1. Go to the Microsoft Teams channel or chat window in which you want to include a quick poll. Press Ctrl+F6 until you hear: “Start a new conversation. Type @ to mention someone.”

  2. Press the Tab key once, press the arrow key until you reach the Messaging extensions button, and press Enter.

  3. To move to Forms, press the Tab key once and then press Enter. The Create a new poll dialog opens.

  4. The focus is in the Question field with the word Question already filled in. To empty the field, press and hold the backspace key. Type your question.

  5. Press the Tab key once to move to the Option 1 field and type the first option.

  6. To move to the Option 2 field, press the Tab key twice and type the second option.

  7. To enter the third option, press the Tab key twice, press Enter, and type the option. You can add any further options in the same way.

  8. If you want to allow the participants to select more than one option, press the Tab key until you reach the Multiple answers button and press Enter.

  9. When done, press the Tab key until you hear “Next button,” and press Enter.

  10. A preview of the created poll opens. If needed, press the Tab key to hear the screen reader read the contents.

    To edit the poll, press the Tab key until you reach the Edit button and press Enter. You return to the previous dialog where you can make changes (for instructions, go to step 4 above).

    To post the poll, press the Tab key until you reach the Send button and press Enter.

    The results of the poll appear in the group conversation as people take it.

See also

Use a screen reader to join a meeting in Microsoft Teams

Use a screen reader to make and answer calls in Microsoft Teams

Keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Teams

Basic tasks using a screen reader with Microsoft Teams

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Microsoft Teams

Use Microsoft Teams on Mac with your keyboard and VoiceOver, the built-in Mac OS screen reader, to create and send an instant poll within your Microsoft Teams app. You'll learn how to add questions and options to the poll, and how to post it to get responses.

Notes: 

Create a poll

  1. Go to the Microsoft Teams on Mac channel or chat window in which you want to include a quick poll. Press the Tab key until you hear: “Start a new conversation. Type @ to mention someone.”

  2. Press the Tab key once, press the arrow key until you reach the Messaging extensions button, and press Enter.

  3. To move to Forms, press the Tab key once and then press Return. The Create a new poll dialog opens.

  4. The focus is in the Question field with the word Question already filled in. To empty the field, press and hold the backspace key. Type your question.

  5. Press the Tab key once to move to the Option 1 field and type the first option.

  6. To move to the Option 2 field, press the Tab key twice and type the second option.

  7. To enter the third option, press the Tab key twice, press Return, and type the option. You can add any further options in the same way.

  8. If you want to allow the participants to select more than one option, press the Tab key until you reach the Multiple answers button and press Return.

  9. When done, press the Tab key until you hear “Next button,” and press Return.

  10. A preview of the created poll opens. If needed, press the Tab key to hear the screen reader read the contents.

    To edit the poll, press the Tab key until you reach the Edit button and press Enter. You return to the previous dialog where you can make changes (for instructions, go to step 4 above).

    To post the poll, press the Tab key until you reach the Send button and press Enter.

    The results of the poll appear in the group conversation as people take it.

See also

Use a screen reader to make and answer calls in Microsoft Teams

Keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Teams

Basic tasks using a screen reader with Microsoft Teams

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Microsoft Teams

Use Microsoft Teams on the web in your browser with your keyboard and a screen reader to create and send an instant poll within your Microsoft Teams app. We have tested it with Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA, but it might work with other screen readers as long as they follow common accessibility standards and techniques. You'll learn how to add a question and options to the poll, and how to post it to get responses.

Notes: 

Create a poll

  1. Do one of the following:

    • Go to the Microsoft Teams on the web channel window in which you want to include a quick poll. Press Ctrl+F6 until you hear "New conversation button," and press Spacebar. You hear: “Start a new conversation. Type @ to mention someone.”

    • Go to the Microsoft Teams on the web chat window in which you want to include a quick poll. Press Ctrl+F6 until you hear: "Type a new message."

  2. Press the Tab key once, press the Right arrow key until you reach the Messaging extensions button, and press Enter.

  3. To move to Forms, press the Tab key once and then press Enter. The Create a new poll dialog opens.

  4. The focus is in the Question edit field with the word Question already filled in. To empty the field, press and hold the backspace key. Type your question.

  5. Press the Tab key once to move to the Option 1 field and type the first option.

  6. To move to the Option 2 edit field, press the Tab key twice and type the second option.

  7. To enter the third option, press the Tab key twice, press Enter, and type the option. You can add any further options in the same way.

  8. If you want to allow the participants to select more than one option, press the Tab key until you reach the Multiple answers button and press Enter.

  9. When done, press the Tab key until you hear “Next button,” and press Enter.

  10. A preview of the created poll opens. If needed, press the Tab key to hear the screen reader read the contents.

    To edit the poll, press the Tab key until you reach the Edit button and press Enter. You return to the previous dialog where you can make changes (for instructions, go to step 4 above).

  11. To post the poll, press the Tab key until you reach the Send button and press Enter.

The results of the poll appear in the group conversation as people take it.

See also

Use a screen reader to join a meeting in Microsoft Teams

Use a screen reader to make and answer calls in Microsoft Teams

Keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Teams

Basic tasks using a screen reader with Microsoft Teams

Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Microsoft Teams

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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