Use a screen reader to work with tasks in To Do

In this topic

• Create a task

• Complete a task

• Open the detail view

• Add a task to My Day

• Rename a task

• Add a reminder

• Add a due date

• Add a file

• Add a note

• Search for tasks

• Delete a task

• Assign a task

Create a task

Create a new task in one of your lists.

1. Press the Tab key until you hear "Entering lists table," and then press Control+Option+Shift+Down arrow key to open the lists table.

2. Press the Down or Up arrow key until you hear the name of the list you want to create the task in.

3. Press the Tab key until you hear: "Add a task."

4. Type a name for your task, for example, Buy groceries.

5. To finish creating the task, press Return.

Complete a task

When you are done with a task, mark it as completed.

1. Press the Tab key until you hear "Entering lists table," and then press Control+Option+Shift+Down arrow key to open the lists table.

2. Press the Down or Up arrow key until you hear the name of the list containing the task you want to mark as completed.

3. To move to the task list content, press the Tab key until you hear "Entering tasks table," and then press Control+Option+Shift+Down arrow key to open the tasks table.

4. Press the Down or Up arrow key until you hear the task you want to mark as completed, and then press Control+Option+Shift+Down arrow key. You hear: "Incomplete task."

5. Press Control+Option+Spacebar to mark the task as completed. A sound cue confirms that you completed the task.

Open the detail view

The detail view lets you edit the task and add additional information, such as notes and reminders.

1. Press the Tab key until you hear "Entering lists table," and then press Control+Option+Shift+Down arrow key to open the lists table.

2. Press the Down or Up arrow key until you hear the name of the list containing the task you want to review details for.

3. To move to the task list content, press the Tab key until you hear: "Entering tasks table." The detail view opens.

4. Press Control+Option+Shift+Down arrow key to open the tasks table, and then use the Down and Up arrow keys to browse the task list. The detail view shows the details for the currently selected task.

Add a task to My Day

To add a task from another list to the tasks you want to complete today, add it to the My Day list. The My Day list is a default list that is already set up when you start working with To Do.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Add to My Day, button," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar.

Rename a task

Use the detail view to quickly rename a task.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear the name of the task, followed by "Contents selected, task title, edit text."

3. Type a new name for the task, and then press Return.

Add a reminder

Use reminders to make sure you don't forget to complete your most important tasks.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Remind me, button," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar.

3. Press Control+Option+Up or Down arrow key to browse the reminder options. You can choose from the predefined options, or choose Pick a date & time. Press Control+Option+Spacebar to select.

4. If you selected Pick a date & time, press the Tab key to browse to the reminder date and time you want. To type the date and time manually, press the Tab key until you hear the current date and time, followed by "Date and time area," and then enter the date and time. To set the reminder, press the Tab key until you hear "Save, button," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar.

Add a due date

Add a due date to help you meet deadlines for your most important tasks.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Add due date, button," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar.

3. Press Control+Option+Up or Down arrow key to browse the due date options. You can choose from the predefined options, or choose Pick a date. Press Control+Option+Spacebar to select.

4. If you selected Pick a date, use the Tab key to browse to the date you want. To type the date manually, press the Tab key until you hear the current date, followed by "Date area," and then enter the date. To set the due date, press the Tab key until you hear "Save, button," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar.

Add a file

To provide more context for a task, you can attach a file to it. For example, if your task is Print application form, you can attach the document to the task.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Add file, button," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar. The file dialog box opens.

3. Navigate to and select the file you want to upload from your computer. To move between the areas in the dialog box, press the Tab key or Shift+Tab. To move within an area, use the arrow keys. To select, press Return or Control+Option+Spacebar.

   The file is added and the focus returns to the detail view.

Add a note

Notes are useful if you need to add more information about the task and keep the task name itself short. For example, if your task is Buy groceries, you can put the shopping list inside a note.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear: "Add a note."

3. If your task already has an existing note text and you want to keep it, press the Left or Right arrow key once to move the focus to the beginning or end of the note. 

4. Type the text of your note. The note is saved automatically.

Search for tasks

Use the search feature to quickly find a task in your lists.

1. To search for a task, press Command+F. The focus moves to the Search field.

2. Start typing a search word. Your screen reader announces the number of results as you type.

3. To navigate to the search results list, press the Tab key until you hear "Entering results for," followed by your search text and the first search result.

4. To enter the search results, press Control+Option+Shift+Down arrow key.

5. To browse the search results, use the Down and Up arrow keys.

Delete a task

You can delete a task, when you, for example, no longer need to keep track of it.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Delete task, button," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar.

3. To confirm deleting the task, press the Tab key until you hear "Delete task," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar.

Assign a task

Use the detail view to assign a task in a shared list to a specific list member. Tasks assigned to you appear in the Assigned to me list, which is a default list that is already set up when you start working with To Do.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Assign to, button," or the person it's currently assigned to, and then press Control+Option+Spacebar.

3. Press the Tab key until you hear the name of a person in the member list.

4. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to browse the member list until you hear the name of the person you want to assign the task to. To assign the task, press Control+Option+Spacebar.

See also

Use a screen reader to work with lists in To Do

Use a screen reader to move tasks between or within lists in To Do

Use a screen reader to add steps and set importance to a task in To Do

Use a screen reader to show flagged emails as tasks in To Do

Use a screen reader to work with suggestions in To Do

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do

In this topic

• Create a task

• Complete a task

• Open the detail view

• Add a task to My Day

• Rename a task

• Add a reminder

• Add a due date

• Add a file

• Add a note

• Search for tasks

• Delete a task

• Assign a task

Create a task

Create a new to-do item in one of your lists.

1. Swipe left until you hear "Sidebar." Double-tap the screen.

2. Swipe right until you hear the name of the list you want to create the task in. Double-tap the screen to open the list.

3. Swipe right until you hear "Add a task," and then double-tap the screen.

4. Type a name for your task, for example, Buy groceries.

5. After typing the task name, swipe left until you hear: "Return." Double-tap the screen to select. The task is added to your list.

Complete a task

When you are done with a task, mark it as completed.

1. Swipe left until you hear "Sidebar." Double-tap the screen.

2. Swipe right until you hear the name of the list containing the task you want to mark as completed. Double-tap the screen to open the list.

3. Swipe right until you hear the task you want to mark as completed, and double-tap the screen to open the detail view.

4. Swipe right until you hear "Complete." Double-tap the screen to complete the task.

Open the detail view

The detail view lets you edit the task and add additional information, such as notes and reminders.

1. Swipe left until you hear "Sidebar." Double-tap the screen.

2. Swipe right until you hear the name of the list containing the task you want to view details for. Double-tap the screen to open the list.

3. Swipe right until you hear the task you want, and double-tap the screen to open the detail view. You hear: "Details for task," followed by the name of the task.

Add a task to My Day

To add a task from another list to the tasks you want to complete today, add it to the My Day list. The My Day list is a default list that is already set up when you start working with To Do.

In the detail view for a task, swipe right until you hear "Add task to My Day," and then double-tap the screen.

Rename a task

Use the detail view to quickly rename a task.

1. In the detail view for a task, swipe right until you hear "Task title" followed by the name of the task, and then double-tap the screen.

2. Delete the previous name using the keyboard, and then type the new one. The name is saved automatically.

Add a reminder

Use reminders to make sure you don't forget to complete your most important tasks.

1. In the detail view for a task, swipe right until you hear "Reminder," and then double-tap the screen. The Reminder menu opens.

2. Swipe right and left to browse the reminder options. You can choose from the predefined options, or choose Pick a date & time. Double-tap the screen to select.

3. If you selected Pick a date & time, swipe right and left to define the date and time, and double-tap the screen to select. To set the reminder, swipe right or left until you hear "Set," and then double-tap the screen.

Add a due date

Add a due date to help you meet deadlines for your most important tasks.

1. In the detail view for a task, swipe right until you hear "Due date," and then double-tap the screen. The Due date menu opens.

2. Swipe right and left to browse the due date options. You can choose from the predefined options, or choose Pick a date & time. Double-tap the screen to select.

3. If you selected Pick a date, swipe right and left to define the date and time, and double-tap the screen to select. To set the due date, swipe right or left until you hear "Set," and then double-tap the screen.

Add a file

To provide more context for a task, you can attach a file to it. For example, if your task is Print application form, you can attach the document to the task.

1. In the detail view for a task, swipe right until you hear "Add a file," and then double-tap the screen.

2. Choose where you want to upload the file from. Swipe right or left to browse the options, and double-tap the screen to select.

3. Navigate to and select the file you want to upload from your device. To browse the items, swipe right or left until you hear the item you want. To open a folder, double-tap the screen. When on the file you want, to upload it, double-tap the screen.

   The file is added and the focus returns to the detail view.

Add a note

Notes are useful if you need to add more information about a task and keep the task name itself short. For example, if your task is Buy groceries, you can put the shopping list inside a note.

1. In the detail view for a task, swipe right until you hear "Add a note," and then double-tap the screen.

2. Type the text of your note.

3. To save the note, swipe left until you hear "Done," and then double-tap the screen.

Search for tasks

Use the search feature to quickly find a task in your lists.

1. Swipe left until you hear "Sidebar," and then double-tap the screen.

2. Swipe right until you hear "Search," and then double-tap the screen. The focus moves to the Search text field.

3. Start typing a search word using the on-screen keyboard. The search results are updated as you type.

4. To navigate to the search results list, swipe right until you hear a result. To move in the search results list, swipe right or left. VoiceOver announces the task name, status, and due date as you land on each task.

5. To open the detail view for the currently selected result, double-tap the screen.

Delete a task

You can delete a task, when you, for example, no longer need to keep track of it.

1. In the detail view for a task, swipe right until you hear "Delete" and the name of the task. Double-tap the screen to select.

2. To confirm the deletion, swipe right until you hear "Delete task," and then double-tap the screen.

Assign a task

Use the detail view to assign a task in a shared list to a specific list member. Tasks assigned to you appear in the Assigned to Me list, which is a default list that is already set up when you start working with To Do.

1. In the detail view for a task, swipe right until you hear "Assign to" or the person it's currently assigned to, and then double-tap the screen.

2. Swipe right until you hear the person you want to assign the task to, and then double-tap the screen. You hear: "Assigned."

See also

Use a screen reader to work with lists in To Do

Use a screen reader to move tasks between or within lists in To Do

Use a screen reader to add steps and set importance to a task in To Do

Use a screen reader to show flagged emails as tasks in To Do

Use a screen reader to work with suggestions in To Do

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do

In this topic

• Create a task

• Complete a task

• Open the detail view

• Add a task to My Day

• Rename a task

• Add a reminder

• Add a due date

• Add a file

• Add a note

• Search for tasks

• Delete a task

• Assign a task

Create a task

Create a new to-do item in one of your lists.

1. Swipe right or left until you hear: "Sidebar." Double-tap the screen.

2. Swipe right until you hear the name of the list you want to create the task in. Double-tap the screen to open the list.

3. Swipe right until you hear "Add a task" and then double-tap the screen.

4. Type a name for your task, for example, Buy groceries.

5. Swipe right until you hear "Add a task," and then double-tap the screen.

6. Swipe down-then-left to close the keyboard.

Complete a task

When you are done with a task, mark it as completed.

1. Swipe right or left until you hear: "Sidebar." Double-tap the screen.

2. Swipe right until you hear the name of the list containing the task you want to mark as completed. Double-tap the screen to open the list.

3. Swipe right until you hear the task you want to mark as completed.

4. Swipe right once. You hear: "Incomplete task." Double-tap the screen to complete the task.

Open the detail view

The detail view lets you edit the task and add additional information, such as notes and reminders.

1. Swipe right or left until you hear: "Sidebar." Double-tap the screen.

2. Swipe right until you hear the name of the list containing the task you want to view details for. Double-tap the screen to open the list.

3. Swipe right until you hear the task you want, and then double-tap the screen. You hear: "Details for task," followed by the name of the task.

Add a task to My Day

To add a task from another list to the tasks you want to complete today, add it to the My Day list. The My Day list is a default list that is already set up when you start working with To Do.

In the detail view for a task, swipe right or left until you hear "Add to My Day," and then double-tap the screen. You hear: "Task added to My Day."

Rename a task

Use the detail view to quickly rename a task.

1. In the detail view for a task, swipe right or left until you hear the name of the task, and then double-tap the screen.

2. Delete the previous name using the keyboard, and then type the new name. The name is saved automatically.

Add a reminder

Use reminders to make sure you don't forget to complete your most important tasks.

1. In the detail view for a task, swipe right or left until you hear "Remind me," and then double-tap the screen.

2. Swipe right and left to browse the reminder options. You can choose from the predefined options, or choose Pick a date & time. Double-tap the screen to select.

3. If you selected Pick a date & time, swipe right and left to define the date and time, and double-tap the screen to select. To set the reminder, swipe right until you hear "Save," and then double-tap the screen.

Add a due date

Add a due date to help you meet deadlines for your most important tasks.

1. In the detail view for a task, swipe right or left until you hear "Add due date," and then double-tap the screen.

2. Swipe right and left to browse the due date options. You can choose from the predefined options, or choose Pick a date. Double-tap the screen to select.

3. If you selected Pick a date, swipe right and left to define the date, and double-tap the screen to select. To set the due date, swipe right until you hear "Save," and then double-tap the screen.

Add a file

To provide more context for a task, you can attach a file to it. For example, if your task is Print application form, you can attach the document to the task.

1. In the detail view for a task, swipe right until you hear "Add a file," and then double-tap the screen.

2. Choose where you want to upload the file from. Swipe right or left to browse the options, and double-tap the screen to select.

3. Navigate to and select the file you want to upload from your device. To browse the items, swipe right or left until you hear the item you want. To open a folder, double-tap the screen. When on the file you want, to upload it, double-tap the screen.

   The file is added and the focus returns to the detail view.

Add a note

Notes are useful if you need to add more information about the task and keep the task name itself short. For example, if your task is Buy groceries, you can put the shopping list inside a note.

1. In the detail view for a task, swipe right or left until you hear "Add a note," and then double-tap the screen.

2. Type the text of your note.

3. Swipe right or left until you hear "Close and save," and then double-tap the screen.

Search for tasks

Use the search feature to quickly find a task in your lists.

1. Swipe right or left until you hear "Sidebar," and then double-tap the screen.

2. Swipe right until you hear "Enter search," and then double-tap the screen. The search menu opens, and the focus moves to the Search field.

3. Start typing a search word using the on-screen keyboard. Your screen reader announces the number of results as you type.

4. To navigate to the search results list, swipe right until you hear a result. You hear the position of the result in the list and the name of the result. To move in the search results list, swipe right or left.

5. To open the detail view for the currently selected result, double-tap the screen.

Delete a task

You can delete a task, when you, for example, no longer need to keep track of it.

1. In the detail view for a task, swipe right until you hear "Delete task," and then double-tap the screen.

2. To confirm the deletion, swipe right until you hear "Delete," and then double-tap the screen.

Assign a task

Use the detail view to assign a task in a shared list to a specific list member. Tasks assigned to you appear in the Assigned to Me list, which is a default list that is already set up when you start working with To Do.

1. In the detail view for a task, swipe right until you hear "Assign to" or the person it's currently assigned to, and then double-tap the screen. You hear: "Assignee picker open."

2. Swipe right until you hear the person you want to assign the task to, and then double-tap the screen. You hear: "Assignee picker closed."

See also

Use a screen reader to work with lists in To Do

Use a screen reader to move tasks between or within lists in To Do

Use a screen reader to add steps and set importance to a task in To Do

Use a screen reader to show flagged emails as tasks in To Do

Use a screen reader to work with suggestions in To Do

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do

In this topic

• Create a task

• Complete a task

• Open the detail view

• Add a task to My Day

• Rename a task

• Add a reminder

• Add a due date

• Add a file

• Add a note

• Search for tasks

• Delete a task

• Assign a task

Create a task

Create a new task in one of your lists.

1. Press the Tab key until you hear "Lists," followed by the currently selected list.

2. Press the Up or Down arrow key until you hear the name of the list you want to create the task in, and then press Enter to open the list. The focus is on the Add a task field.

3. Type a name for your task, for example, Buy groceries, and then press Enter.

Complete a task

When you are done with a task, mark it as completed.

1. Press the Tab key until you hear "Lists," followed by the currently selected list.

2. Press the Up or Down arrow key until you hear the name of the list you want to create the task in, and then press Enter to open the list.

3. Press the Tab key until you hear "Task," followed by a task name.

4. Press the Up or Down arrow key until you hear the name of the task you want to mark as completed.

5. Press the Tab key once. You hear: "Mark as completed." Then press Enter to complete the task. A sound cue confirms that you completed the task, and the focus moves to the checkbox for the next task.

Open the detail view

The detail view lets you edit the task and add additional information, such as notes and reminders.

1. Press the Tab key until you hear "Lists," followed by the currently selected list.

2. Press the Up or Down arrow key until you hear the name of the list containing the task you want, and then press Enter to open the list.

3. Press the Tab key until you hear "Task," followed by a task name.

4. Press the Up or Down arrow key until you hear the name of the task you want to review details for, and then press the Tab key twice. You hear "Task," followed by the task name and then "Button."

5. Press Enter. The detail view opens to the right.

Add a task to My Day

To add a task from another list to the tasks you want to complete today, add it to the My Day list. The My Day list is a default list that is already set up when you start working with To Do.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Add to My Day," and then press Enter.

Rename a task

Use the detail view to quickly rename a task.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Rename task," and then press Enter.

3. To delete the previous name, press Ctrl+A to select the name, and then press Delete.

4. Type the new name, and then press Enter to finish renaming the task.

Add a reminder

Use reminders to make sure you don't forget to complete your most important tasks.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Remind me," and then press Enter.

3. Press the Tab key to browse the reminder options. You can choose from the predefined options, or choose Pick a date & time. Press Enter to select.

4. If you selected Pick a date & time, use the Tab key and arrow keys to define the date and time, and then press Enter to select. To set the reminder, press the Tab key until you reach the Save button, and then press Enter.

Add a due date

Add a due date to help you meet deadlines for your most important tasks.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Add due date," and then press Enter.

3. Press the Tab key to browse the due date options. You can choose from the predefined options, or choose Pick a date. Press Enter to select.

4. If you selected Pick a date, use the Tab key and arrow keys to define the date, and then press Enter to select. To set the due date, press the Tab key until you reach the Save button, and then press Enter.

Add a file

To provide more context for a task, you can attach a file to it. For example, if your task is Print application form, you can attach the document to the task.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Add file," and then press Enter. The Windows Open dialog box opens.

3. Navigate to and select the file you want to upload from your computer. To move between the areas in the dialog box, press the Tab key or Shift+Tab. To move within an area, use the arrow keys. To select, press Enter.

   The file is added and the focus returns to your web browser.

Add a note

Notes are useful if you need to add more information about the task and keep the task name itself short. For example, if your task is Buy groceries, you can put the shopping list inside a note.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear: "Write a note." 

3. Type the text of your note. When you are done, press Shift+Tab to leave the text field. The note is saved automatically.

Search for tasks

Use the search feature to quickly find a task in your lists.

1. To search for a task, press the Tab key until you hear "Enter search, button," and then press Enter.

2. Start typing a search word using the on-screen keyboard. The search results are updated as you type.

3. To navigate to the search results list, press the Tab key until you hear the first result. To move in the search results list, press the Tab key or Shift+Tab. As you move, your screen reader announces the following information for each search result:

   • Mark as completed checkbox status

   • Task name, followed by the list containing the task

   • Mark task as important checkbox status

4. To open the detail view for the search result you want, press Enter when on the task name you want.

Delete a task

You can delete a task, when you, for example, no longer need to keep track of it.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Delete task," and then press Enter.

3. To confirm the deletion, press the Tab key until you hear "Delete task," and then press Enter.

Assign a task

Use the detail view to assign a task in a shared list to a specific list member. Tasks assigned to you appear in the Assigned to me list, which is a default list that is already set up when you start working with To Do.

1. Open the details for a task as instructed in Open the detail view.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Assign to" or the person it's currently assigned to. Press Enter.

3. Press the Tab key until you hear the person you want to assign the task to, and then press Enter.

See also

Use a screen reader to work with lists in To Do

Use a screen reader to move tasks between or within lists in To Do

Use a screen reader to add steps and set importance to a task in To Do

Use a screen reader to show flagged emails as tasks in To Do

Use a screen reader to work with suggestions in To Do

Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do