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

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

Use To Do with your keyboard and a screen reader to make tasks easier to achieve by dividing them into multiple steps. 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 also learn how to highlight tasks by marking them as important.

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Add steps to a task

Make a task easier to accomplish by dividing it into smaller steps.

  1. In the detail view for a task, press the Tab key until you hear: "Add step."

  2. For each step you want to add, enter a name for the step and then press Enter.

  3. When you're done adding steps, to leave the list of steps, press the Tab key.

  4. To close the detail view, press Esc.

Complete a step

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

  1. In the detail view for a task, press the Tab key until you hear "Steps list" and the name of the first incomplete step.

  2. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to browse to the step you want.

  3. Press the Tab key once. You hear: "Uncomplete, checkbox not checked." Press Enter to mark the step completed. A sound cue confirms that you completed the step.

  4. To close the detail view, press Esc.

Tip: To mark a step as incomplete, repeat the steps above until you hear "Complete, checkbox checked," and then press Enter.

Mark a task as important

To prioritize a task, mark it as important.

  1. Press Ctrl+1 to expand the To Do sidebar.

  2. Press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear "Lists," followed by the name of the currently selected list or filter option.

  3. Press the Down or Up arrow key until you find the list containing the task you want, and then press Enter to open it.

  4. To move to the task list content, press the Tab key until you hear "List options, button," and then press the Tab key once more.

  5. Press the Up or Down arrow key until you hear the task you want.

  6. Press the Tab key until you hear "Mark as important," and then press Enter.

Tip: To remove a task from the Important list, repeat the steps above.

Show important tasks as a list

Tasks you have marked as important are added to the Important list. The Important list is a default list that is already set up when you start working with To Do.

  1. Press Ctrl+1 to expand the To Do sidebar.

  2. Press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear "Lists," followed by the name of the currently selected list or filter option.

  3. Press the Up or Down arrow key until you hear: "Important." Press Enter to open the Important list.

  4. To move to the task list content, press the Tab key until you hear "List options, button," and then press the Tab key once more.

  5. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to browse the tasks in the list.

See also

Use a screen reader to show all tasks with a due date in the Planned list in To Do

Use a screen reader to work with lists in To Do

Use a screen reader to work with tasks in To Do

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do

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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