Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Microsoft Teams

Teams view

When you first sign in to the Microsoft Teams app, you land in the Teams view. The team with the most recent activity in your teams list is selected, and the team's conversation in the General channel is displayed. You can browse your teams, select a team's channel, add new channels, and join or leave a team. You can also access, modify, and contribute to the content of a team channel. For example, you can write a message or upload a file to share with your team.

To go to the Teams view after login, press Ctrl+3. The screen reader announces: "Teams and channels list." The focus is in the Favorites section in the list pane.

Activity view

The Activity view contains activity feeds that contain a summary of everything that's happened in the team channels you follow or a summary of your recent activity.

To go to the Activity view, press Ctrl+1. The screen reader announces: "Feed is selected." The focus is on the listing option menu in the list pane.

Chat view

The Chat view lists your recent messages. You can browse the messages list, and open a message to write a reply, read a whole conversation, start a call, or share a file in a chat. You can also check a contact's details and start a private chat.

To go to the Chat view, press Ctrl+2. The screen reader announces: "Chat list." The focus is in the list of recent chats in the list pane.

Calendar view

The Calendar view lists your upcoming meetings. You can browse upcoming meetings, join an online meeting, or schedule a meeting.

To go to the Calendar view, press Ctrl+4. The screen reader announces: "Calendar grid." The focus is on the Today section in the list pane.

Calls view

In the Calls view, you can call your contacts directly from Microsoft Teams. You can also browse your call history and check your voice mail.

To go to the Calls view, press Ctrl+5. You hear: "Calls list."

Files view

In the Files view, you can browse and open your personal files from OneDrive or your team's shared files in the native app, or edit them in Microsoft Teams. You can also download a file to your local device.

To go to the Files view, do one of the following:

• If you have the Calls feature, press Ctrl+6.

• If you don't have the Calls feature, press Ctrl+5.

The screen reader announces the details of the first file in the recent files list. The focus is on the first file in the content pane.

List pane

The list pane is on the left side of the main content area. You can browse and select items and display them in detail in the content pane on the right. For example, in the Chat view, select a chat in the list pane, and the entire chat is displayed in the content pane. Depending on the selected view, you can also schedule a meeting or join a team.

• To enter a list, press the Tab key or the Down arrow key until you hear the first item in the list.

• To browse the items in a list pane, press the Up or Down arrow key. The screen reader announces the item details or buttons as you move.

• To select an item in a list and display its details in the content pane, press Enter.

Content pane

The content pane is on the right side of the main content area. You can access the content of the item selected in the list pane. Depending on the selected view, you can also add channels and tabs, start a call, and type a message. The content pane also contains a tabs row on the top of the pane to organize the team assets, for example, to posts, shared files, or organizational info.

To navigate in the content pane:

Add an app to the app bar

1. Press Ctrl+F6 until you hear "App bar," press the Up or Down arrow key until you hear "More added apps," and press Enter to open the menu. The focus moves to the search field.

2. Start typing the name of the app you want to add, for example, OneNote. When you stop typing, you hear "Apps list updated," followed by the number of search results and the name of the currently selected app.

3. Press the Up or Down arrow key to browse the search results. When you find the right app, press Enter to finish adding it to the app bar. You can now open the app within Microsoft Teams using the app bar.

Unpin a default view from the app bar

If you find you seldom use some of the Microsoft Teams default views, such as Files, you can unpin them from the app bar. The views are not deleted permanently, and you can pin them back whenever you want.

1. Press Ctrl+F6 until you hear "App bar," and press the Up or Down arrow key until you find the view you want to unpin.

2. Press Shift+F10 to open the menu. You hear: "Unpin." Press Enter.

Teams view

When you first sign in to the Microsoft Teams app, you land in the Teams view. The team with the most recent activity in your teams list is selected, and the team's conversation in the General channel is displayed. You can browse your teams, select a team's channel, add new channels, and join or leave a team. You can also access, modify, and contribute to the content in a team channel, such as write a message or upload a file to share with your team.

To go to the Teams view after login, press Command+3. VoiceOver announces: “Favorite teams.”

Activity view

The Activity view lists your and your teams' recent activity. You can, for example, select and read a conversation, check if you have missed calls, or if you've been added to a team.

To go to the Activity view, press Command+1. VoiceOver announces: "Activity and notifications list," followed by the current list option and the number of items. The focus is on the list option menu in the list pane.

Chat view

The Chat view lists your recent messages. You can browse the message list, and open a message to write a reply, read a whole conversation, start a call, or share a file in a chat. You can also check a contact's details and start a private chat.

To go to the Chat view, press Command+2. VoiceOver announces: "Recent chats." The focus is in the message compose box in the main content pane.

Calendar view

In the Calendar view, you can browse your upcoming meetings, join an online meeting, or schedule a meeting.

To go to the Calendar view, press Command+4. VoiceOver announces: "Today." The focus is on the Previous day button in the list pane.

To navigate and access individual meetings in the list pane, change to the Agenda view first. Press the Tab key until you hear "Agenda view," and press Return.

Calls view

In the Calls view, you can call your contacts directly from Microsoft Teams (if this feature is available to you). You can also browse your call history and check your voicemail.

To go to the Calls view, press Command+5. You hear "Contacts," and the number of items on the list. The focus is on the Contacts tab in the list pane.

Files view

In the Files view, you can browse and open your personal files from OneDrive, your team's shared files in the respective app, or edit them in Microsoft Teams. You can also download a file to your device.

To go to the Files view, do one of the following:

• If you have the Calls feature, press Command+6.

• If you don't have the Calls feature, press Command+5.

VoiceOver announces the files shown. The focus is on the first file in the content pane.

List pane

The list pane is on the left side of the main content area. You can browse and select items in the list pane and they will be displayed in detail in the content pane on the right. For example, in the Chat view, select a chat in the list pane, and the entire chat is displayed in the content pane. Depending on the selected view, you can also, for example, schedule a meeting or join a team.

• To go to a list, press the Tab key or the Down arrow key until you hear the first item in the list.

• To browse the items in a list pane, press Control+Option+Right or Left arrow key. VoiceOver announces the item details or buttons as you move.

• To select an item in a list and display its details in the content pane, press Return.

Content pane

The content pane is located to the right of the list pane. Depending on the selected view, you can, for example, add channels and tabs, start a call, or type a message. The content pane contains a row of tabs at the top of the pane for organizing the team assets, for example, into posts, shared files, or organizational info.

• To move within the banner at the top of the content pane, press the Tab key or Shift+Tab. VoiceOver announces the buttons and fields as you move.

• To navigate to the tabs at the top, press the Tab key until you hear the name of the currently selected tab. To move to another tab, press Control+Option+Right or Left arrow key until you hear the tab you want, and press Return.

• To go to the content pane main area, press the Tab key until you hear the latest item in the area, such as the latest message in a conversation.

• To navigate inside a content pane, press the Tab key or Up or Down arrow key.

  Tips: In posts, you can navigate quickly using headings. To navigate, press Control+Option+Command+H. The heading levels are:

  • Heading level 2: The name of the channel

  • Heading level 3: Date separators within the conversation

  • Heading level 4: The individual messages in this conversation

  • Heading level 5: Replies to a message, or the reply field

• To access the toolbar of a single message, in the content pane main area, press the Up arrow key until you hear the message you want. Press Return to select. You hear: "More options." To browse the toolbar, press the Left or Right arrow key. To select, press Return. From a message toolbar, you can, for example, save or like a message and access further options.

Add an app to the app bar

1. Press Command+F6 until you hear "More added apps, Toolbar" and press Return to open the menu. The focus moves to the search field.

2. Start typing the name of the app you want to add, for example, OneNote. When you stop typing, you hear "Apps list updated," followed by the number of search results.

3. Press the Up or Down arrow key to browse the search results. When you find the right app, press Return to finish adding it to the app bar. You can now open the app within Microsoft Teams using the app bar.

Unpin a default view from the app bar

If you find you seldom use some of the Microsoft Teams default views, such as Files, you can unpin them from the app bar. The views are not deleted permanently, and you can pin them back whenever you want.

1. Press Command+F6 until you hear "More added apps, Toolbar" and press the Up or Down arrow key until you find the view you want to unpin.

2. Press Shift+F10 to open the menu. You hear: "Unpin." Press Return.

Activity view

When you first sign in to Microsoft Teams, you land in the Activity view, which lists your and your teams' recent activity, such as mentions, likes, or missed calls.

To go to the Activity view, swipe right until you hear "Activity tab," and double-tap the screen.

Chat view

The Chat view lists your recent messages. You can browse the messages list, open a message to write a reply, and read a whole conversation.

To go to the Chat view, swipe right until you hear "Chat tab," and double-tap the screen.

Teams view

The Teams view lists all the teams you belong to. You can browse your teams, select a team’s channel, add new channels, and join or leave a team. You can also access, modify, and contribute to the content of a team channel. For example, write a message or upload a file to share with your team.

To go to the Teams view, swipe right until you hear “Teams tab,” and double-tap the screen.

Calendar view

The Calendar view lists your upcoming meetings. You can browse upcoming meetings, join an online meeting, or schedule a meeting.

To go to the Calendar view, swipe right until you hear "Calendar tab," and double-tap the screen.

Calls view

The Calls view lists your call history. You can browse the list of past calls and make new calls.

To go to the Calls view, swipe right until you hear "Calls tab," and double-tap the screen.

Navigate the More menu

The More menu contains your profile information, your presence status, Microsoft Teams settings, and the Saved and Files views.

• To open the More menu, swipe right or left until you hear "More menu," and double-tap the screen.

• Swipe right until you hear the menu item you want, and double-tap the screen.

• To leave the More menu, swipe left until you hear "Close the More menu button," and double-tap the screen.

Activity view

When you first sign in to the Microsoft Teams app, you land in the Activity view, which lists your and your teams’ recent activity, such as mentions, likes, or missed calls.

To go to the Activity view, swipe right until you hear “Activity tab,” and double-tap the screen.

Chat view

The Chat view lists your recent messages. You can browse the messages list, and open a message to write a reply, and read a whole conversation.

To go to the Chat view, swipe right until you hear “Chat tab,” and double-tap the screen.

Teams view

The Teams view lists all the teams you belong to. You can browse your teams, select a team’s channel, add new channels, and join or leave a team. You can also access, modify, and contribute to the content of a team channel. For example, write a message or upload a file to share with your team.

To go to the Teams view, swipe right until you hear “Teams tab,” and double-tap the screen.

Calendar view

The Calendar view lists your upcoming meetings. You can browse upcoming meetings, join an online meeting, or schedule a meeting.

To go to the Calendar view, swipe right until you hear “Calendar view,” and double-tap the screen.

Calls view

The Calls view lists your call history. You can browse the list of past calls and make new calls.

To go to the Calls view, swipe right until you hear “Calls tab,” and double-tap the screen.

Navigate the More menu

The More menu contains your profile information, your presence status, Microsoft Teams settings, and the Saved and Files views.

• To open the More menu, swipe right or left until you hear “Open hamburger menu,” and double-tap the screen.

• Swipe right until you hear the menu item you want, and double-tap the screen.

• To leave the More menu, tap the right side of the screen with two fingers.

Teams view

When you first sign in to the Microsoft Teams on the web app, you land in the Teams view. The team with the most recent activity in your teams list is selected, and the team's conversation in the General channel is displayed. You can browse your teams, select a team's channel, add new channels, and join or leave a team. You can also access, modify, and contribute to the content of a team channel. For example, write a message or upload a file to share with your team.

When you move to the Teams view, Narrator announces: "Teams and channels list." NVDA and JAWS announce the details of the currently selected channel. The focus is in the Teams list pane.

Activity view

The Activity view contains activity feeds that contain a summary of everything that's happened in the team channels you follow or a summary of your recent activity.

When you move to the Activity view, the focus is on the most recent activity in the content pane.

Chat view

The Chat view lists your recent messages. You can browse the messages list, and open a message to write a reply, read a whole conversation, start a call, or share a file in a chat. You can also check a contact's details and start a private chat.

When you move to the Teams view, Narrator announces: "Chat list." NVDA and JAWS announce the details of the currently selected chat. The focus is in the Recent chat list in the list pane.

Calendar view

In the Calendar view, you can browse your upcoming meetings, join an online meeting, or schedule a meeting.

When you move to the Calendar view, you hear: "Calendar grid." The focus is on the current day in the calendar grid.

Calls view

In the Calls view, you can call your contacts directly from Microsoft Teams on the web. You can also browse your call history and check your voice mail.

When you move to the Calls view, you hear: "Speed dial." The focus is on the Speed dial contact list in the content pane.

Files view

In the Files view, you can browse and open your personal files from OneDrive or your team's shared files in the native app, or edit them in Microsoft Teams on the web. You can also download a file to your local device.

When you move to the Files view, you hear "Files," followed by the details of the most recent file. The focus is on the Recent files list in the content pane.

List pane

The list pane is on the left side of the main content area. You can browse and select items and display them in detail on the content pane on the right. For example, in the Chat view, select a chat in the list pane, and the entire chat is displayed in the content pane. Depending on the selected view, you can also schedule a meeting or join a team.

• To move the focus to a list, press the Tab key until you hear the first item in the list.

• To browse the items in a list pane, press the Down arrow key. The screen reader announces the item details or buttons as you move.

• To select an item in a list and display its details in the content pane, press Enter.

Content pane

The content pane is on the right side of the main content area. You can access the content of the item selected in the list pane. Depending on the selected view, you can also add channels and tabs, start a call and type a message. The content pane also contains a tabs row at the top of the pane to organize the team assets, for example, to posts, shared files, or organizational info.

• To move inside the banner at the top of the content pane, press the Tab key. The screen reader announces the buttons and fields as you move.

• To navigate to the tabs row, press the Tab key until you hear the currently selected tab, for example, "Posts tab." To move to another tab, press the Right or Left arrow key until you hear the tab you want, and then press Enter.

• To enter the content pane main area, press the Tab key until you hear the latest item in the area, such as the latest message in posts.

• To navigate inside a content pane:

  Screen reader navigationFocus navigation Virtual navigation

  You can navigate quickly inside the content pane by pressing the Tab key or Shift+Tab, or the arrow keys.

  Note: With Narrator, focus navigation is the recommended option.

  Note: In NVDA this is called the browse mode, in JAWS it is called the virtual cursor mode, and in Narrator it is called the scan mode.

  You can navigate quickly inside the content pane using headings. To move between the headings, press H or Shift+H. The heading levels are:

  • Heading level 2: The name of the channel

  • Heading level 3: Date separators within the conversation

  • Heading level 4: The individual messages in this conversation

  • Heading level 5: Replies to a message, or the reply field

  • A message toolbar allows you to save or like a message, and access further options. To access and browse the toolbar:

    Screen reader navigationFocus navigation Virtual navigation

    To access and browse the toolbar of a single message, in the content pane main area, press the Up arrow key in the message list until you reach the message you want. Press Enter and then the Left or Right arrow key to navigate between the options. To select, press Enter.

    Note: With Narrator, focus navigation is the recommended option.

    Note: In NVDA this is called the browse mode, in JAWS it is called the virtual cursor mode, and in Narrator it is called the scan mode.

    To access and browse the toolbar of a single message, in the content pane main area, press H or Shift+H to move between the headings in the message list until you reach the message you want. Move the cursor to the message area, and press the Down arrow key until you hear "Toolbar" and the toolbar item you want. To select, press Enter.