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Skype for Business
Skype for Business
Use a screen reader to manage your contacts in Skype for Business
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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.

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Use a keyboard and Narrator, the built-in Windows screen reader, to quickly add people and groups into your contact list in Skype for Business. You can add people or groups in your organization, and even people who are not in your organization, if you know they have a Skype account.

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.

  • For keyboard shortcuts, go to Keyboard shortcuts in Skype for Business.

  • This topic assumes that you are using the built-in Windows screen reader, Narrator. To learn more about using Narrator, go to Complete guide to Narrator.

  • This topic assumes you are using this app with a PC. Some navigation and gestures might be different for a Windows phone or tablet.

In this topic

Add a person or group who is in your organization

  1. To launch Skype for Business, press the Windows logo key, type Skype for Business, and press Enter.

    By default, Skype for Business opens in Contacts view, with the Find someone search box selected.

    Tip: To open the Contacts view from another view in Skype for Business (such as the Conversations tab or the Meetings tab), press Ctrl+1.

  2. In the Find someone search box, type a name, IM address, phone number, or Exchange distribution list name. If your organization uses Microsoft 365 Groups, you can also search for a group name. As you type, search results are listed, and My Contacts tab appears.

    Note: Depending on your account type, two other tabs may appear, Skill and Chat rooms. When My Contacts is selected, Skype for Business searches in your organization's address book.

  3. Press the Down arrow key until you hear the name of the person you want to add.

  4. Press Enter to open a popup menu. You hear: "Send an IM button."

  5. Press Tab until you hear "More Options button," then press Enter to open the menu.

    • To add the person or group to your Favorites group in the contacts list, press A.

    • To add the person or group to another group in your contacts list, such as Other Contacts, press O, then use the Down arrow key to browse your groups. When you hear the name of the group you want, press Enter.

Add a person or group who is not in your organization

Note: Your administrator enables or disables the Skype Directory search feature in accordance with your organization's search policy. If a Skype Directory tab is not available, you won't be able to search for Skype users.

If the person or group you want to add is not in your organization, but you know they have a Skype account:

  1. Open Skype for Business. The Skype for Business window opens in Contacts view, with the Find someone search box selected.

  2. In the Find someone search box, type a name, IM address, or phone number. As you type, search results are listed under the My Contacts tab.

    Note: If the Skype Directory is enabled in your organization, Skype for Business searches the millions of Skype users. Knowing their Skype ID and location of the person or group you want to add helps narrow the search. You can also search using their email address or Microsoft account, for example, John@outlook.com.

  3. Press Tab until you hear: "My Contacts Search, 1 of 3."

  4. Press the Right arrow key until you hear "Skype Directory Search, 2 of 3," then press Enter. You hear: "Selected."

  5. Press Tab twice to change focus to the search results, then press the Down arrow key until you hear the name of the person you want to add.

  6. Press Enter to open a popup menu. You hear: "Add to group button." Press Enter to open the menu.

    • To add the person into your Favorites list, press A.

    • Press the Down arrow key until you hear the name of the group you want, then press Enter.

    Note: When you add a Skype contact in Skype for Business, a notification is sent to the person you've just added. The person has to accept your request before you can send messages to them.

Delete a contact from your list

  1. In the Contacts view, press the Tab key until you hear the name of a contact. If needed, press the Down arrow key until you hear the name of the contact you want to remove.

  2. Press Enter to open the popup menu. You hear: "Send an IM button."

  3. Press the Tab key until you hear "More Options button," and press Enter to open the menu.

  4. To remove the person or group from your Contacts list, press R.

  5. A confirmation dialog opens. You hear: "Skype for Business <version>, Skype for Business window." To confirm the deletion, press Y. The contact is removed and you return to the Contacts view.

See also

Use a screen reader to make or receive a call in Skype for Business

Use a screen reader to join an online meeting in Skype for Business

Keyboard shortcuts in Skype for Business

Basic tasks using a screen reader with Skype for Business

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Learn how to navigate Skype for Business using accessible features

You can quickly add people to your contacts list in Skype for Business for Mac by using VoiceOver, the built-in Mac OS screen reader. You can add people or groups in your organization, and even people who are not in your organization, or delete contacts who are currently on your list.

Notes: 

In this topic

Add a person who is in your organization

You can quickly add a person from your organization, by searching for their name, IM address, or contact number.

  1. Start Skype for Business for Mac and sign in if necessary. The Skype for Business for Mac window opens in Contacts view. To select the Search for Contacts box, press Tab repeatedly. You hear: “Search for contacts.”

    Tip: The Quick Nav option allows you to navigate apps using only the arrow keys. To turn Quick Nav on or off, press the Left and Right arrow keys at the same time. To learn more about Quick Nav, go to Navigate using Quick Nav.

  2. In the Search for Contacts box, type a name, IM address, or phone number. As you type, search results are listed.

  3. To go to the results list, press the Tab key until you hear “Table” and the top search result. Press the Up or Down arrow key until you hear the name of the person you want to add.

  4. To go to the menu bar, press Function+Control+F2. You hear: “Menu bar Apple.”

  5. Use the Right arrow key to browse to Contacts, and press the Down arrow key to open the Contacts menu. You hear: “Contacts, menu, <number of items>.”

  6. Press the Down arrow key to select Add Contact. You hear: “Add contact.” Then press Enter to add the person to your list.

Add a person who is not in your organization

You can add people who are not in your organization, if they have a Skype account.

Note: Your administrator enables or disables the Skype Directory search feature in accordance with your organization's policy. If a Skype Directory tab is not available, you won't be able to search for Skype users.

  1. Start Skype for Business for Mac and sign in if necessary. The Skype for Business for Mac window opens in Contacts view. To select the Search for Contacts box, press Tab repeatedly. You hear: “Search for contacts.”

  2. In the Search for Contacts box, type the IM address, or phone number. As you type, search results are listed.

  3. To go to the results list, press the Tab key until you hear “Table” and the top search result. Press the Up or Down arrow key until you hear the name of the person you want to add.

  4. To go to the menu bar, press Function+Control+F2. You hear: “Menu bar Apple.”

  5. Use the Right arrow key to browse to Contacts, and press the Down arrow key to open the Contacts menu. You hear: “Contacts, menu, <number of items>.”

  6. Press the Down arrow key to select Add Contact. You hear: “Add contact.” Then press Enter to add the person to your list.

Delete a contact from your list

  1. Go to the Contacts view in the Main navigation group. Navigate by pressing Tab, until you hear: “Contacts, selected, toggle button.”

  2. To go to your Contacts list, press Spacebar, and press Tab twice. You hear: “Contacts table.”

  3. If needed, to expand a contact group, press the Right arrow key.

  4. Press the Down arrow key to browse to the contact until you hear the name of the person you want to delete.

  5. To go to the menu bar, press Function+Control+F2. You hear: “Menu bar Apple.”

  6. Use the Right arrow key to browse to Contacts, and press the Down arrow key to open the Contacts menu. You hear: “Contacts, menu, <number of items>.”

  7. Press the Down arrow key to select Remove Contact. You hear: “Remove contact.” Then press Enter to remove the person from your list.

See also

Use a screen reader to make or receive a call in Skype for Business

Use a screen reader to join an online meeting in Skype for Business

Keyboard shortcuts in Skype for Business

Basic tasks using a screen reader with Skype for Business

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Learn how to navigate Skype for Business using accessible features

Use VoiceOver, the built-in iOS screen reader, to add people to your Contacts or Favorites list in Skype for Business.

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.

  • This topic assumes that you are using the built-in iOS screen reader, VoiceOver. To learn more about using VoiceOver, visit Apple accessibility.

  • This topic assumes that you are using an iPhone. Some navigation and gestures might be different for an iPad.

In this topic

Search for a contact and open their contact card

You can search for a person or a group in the company directory. If your organization’s seach policy allows, your organization's administrator can also enable the Skype Directory search feature. This means that you can search for the Skype account of a person from another organization, if the other organization allows it.

  1. Open Skype for Business and sign in if necessary. The main view appears, containing the search box for contacts in your company directory, any upcoming appointments, and recent conversations.

    Tip: If you did not sign out of Skype for Business the last time you used it, the app opens without prompting you to sign in. For sign-in help, refer to Basic tasks using a screen reader with Skype for Business.

  2. Swipe right until you hear: “Search for contacts, search field.” To search for a contact, double-tap the screen. You hear: “Search field, is editing.” Type the name or email alias of the person or group you want to find using your on-screen keyboard. To go to the keyboard, swipe right until you hear a keyboard key. To close the keyboard and go to the search results, swipe right until you hear "Search," and double-tap the screen.

    Tip: You can also find the keyboard by exploring the items on the screen. To explore, place a finger on the screen and drag it around. VoiceOver announces the items as you land on them. To select an item, lift your finger and double-tap the screen.

  3. To browse the search results, swipe right until you hear the contact you want. As you move, VoiceOver announces the contact name (person or group), title (if available), and their availability status. When on the contact whose contact card you want to open, double-tap the screen. A conversation opens for the selected contact, and you hear: “Back button.”

  4. Swipe right until you hear "<Contact name>, button," and then double-tap the screen. A drop-down menu for the contact opens. To open the contact card, swipe right until you hear "See contact card, button," and then double-tap the screen. The contact card opens, and you hear: "Dismiss, button."

  5. To browse the contact card options or information, swipe right or left. VoiceOver reads the contact card items as you move. On a contact card you might find the following items:

    • Dismiss button, name of contact, Favorites button, and Contact button for adding the person to your contacts or managing the contact

    • Contact’s title

    • Video call button, Call button, Send Message button

    • Contact’s email address

    • Name of the company that the contact works for

    • Office number

    • Work phone number

Add people to your Contacts

  1. Open the contact card of the person or group you want to add to your Contacts list. To learn how to search for their contact card, refer to Search for a contact and open their contact card, above.

  2. On the contact card, swipe right until you hear “Add contact, button,” and then double-tap the screen. The focus moves to the list of your contact groups.

  3. To browse your contact groups, swipe right or left until you hear the name of the group where you want to add the contact. VoiceOver announces the group names as you move. When on the group you want, double-tap the screen.

  4. The contact is added to the selected group and you hear: “Added to group.” To go back to the contact card, swipe left until you hear "Dismiss button," and then double-tap the screen.

Add people to your Favorites

  1. Open the contact card of the person or group you want to add to your Favorites list. To learn how to search for their contact card, refer to Search for a contact and open their contact card, above.

    Tip: If the contact you want to add to your Favorites is already in your Contacts, you can search for them in the Contacts view. To go to the Contacts view, from the start screen, swipe right or left until you hear "Contacts, button," and then double-tap the screen. The Contacts view opens.

  2. To add the contact to your Favorites, swipe right until you hear "<Contact name> is currently not added to Favorites. Add to Favorites, button," and then double-tap the screen.

  3. The contact is added to your Favorites, and you hear: "<Contact name> is currently added to Favorites. Remove from Favorites, button."

Remove people from your Contacts or Favorites

Remove a person from your Contacts

  1. Open the contact card of the person you want to remove from your Contacts. To learn how to search for their contact card, refer to Search for a contact and open their contact card.

  2. Swipe right until you hear “Manage contact, button,” and double-tap the screen.

  3. You hear: "Dismiss, button." Swipe right until you hear the name of the group the contact is currently added to, and double-tap the screen.

  4. You hear: "<Name of the group>, removed from group <name of the group>." The person is removed from your Contacts. To return to the contact card, swipe left until you hear "Dismiss, button," and double-tap the screen.

Remove a person from your Favorites

  1. Open the contact card of the person you want to remove from your Favorites. To learn how to search for their contact card, refer to Search for a contact and open their contact card.

  2. Swipe right until you hear "<Contact name> is currently added to Favorites. Remove from Favorites, button," and double-tap the screen. You hear: "<Contact name> is currently not added to Favorites. Add to Favorites, button." The contact is removed from your Favorites and the focus is on the Favorites button on the contact card.

See also

Use a screen reader to make or receive a call in Skype for Business

Use a screen reader to join an online meeting in Skype for Business

Basic tasks using a screen reader with Skype for Business

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Learn how to navigate Skype for Business using accessible features

Use TalkBack, the built-in Android screen reader, with Skype for Business for Android, to add people to your Contacts or Favorites list in Skype for Business.

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.

  • This topic assumes that you are using the built-in Android screen reader, TalkBack. To learn more about using TalkBack, go to Android accessibility.

  • This topic assumes you are using this app with an Android phone. Some navigation and gestures might be different for an Android tablet.

In this topic

Search for a contact and open their contact card

You can search for a person or a group in the company directory. If your organization's search policy allows, your organization’s administrator can also enable the Skype Directory search feature. This means that you can search for the Skype account of a person from another organization, if the other organization allows it.

  1. Open Skype for Business for Android and sign in if necessary. The main view appears, containing the search box for contacts in your company directory, any upcoming appointments, and recent conversations.

    Tip: If you did not sign out of Skype for Business for Android the last time you used it, the app opens without prompting you to sign in. For sign-in help, refer to Basic tasks using a screen reader with Skype for Business.

  2. Swipe right until you hear: “Search in the company directory.” To search for a contact, double-tap the screen. You hear: “Editing, Search people, Edit box.” Type the name or email alias of the person or group you want to find using your on-screen keyboard.

    Note: To go to the keyboard, place a finger on the screen and drag it around until you hear a keyboard element.

  3. To browse the search results, swipe right until you hear the contact you want. As you move, TalkBack announces the contact name (person or group), and their status. When on the contact whose contact card you want to open, double-tap the screen. The contact card opens, and you hear: “Contact card.”

  4. To browse the contact card options or information, swipe right or left. TalkBack reads the contact card items as you move. On a contact card you might find the following items:

    • Go back button, name of contact, Add to favorites button, and More options button

    • Contact’s title

    • Video call button, Audio call button, Chat button

    • Contact’s email address

    • Office number

    • Work phone number

    • Name of the company that the contact works for

    To select an item on the contact card, double-tap the screen.

Find a person or group in your Contacts or Favorites list

You can also go to your Contacts to find a person or a group.

  1. Open Skype for Business for Android and sign in if necessary. Your start screen appears,

  2. Swipe right until you hear "View contacts and contact management screen," and double-tap the screen. The Contacts view opens.

  3. To browse the options, swipe right. To select an item or open a person's contact card, double-tap the screen.

Add people to your Contacts

  1. Open the contact card of the person or group you want to add to your Contacts list. To learn how to search for their contact card, refer to Search for a contact and open their contact card, above.

  2. On the contact card, swipe right until you hear “Add contact, button,” and then double-tap the screen. The focus moves to the list of your contact Groups.

  3. To browse your contact groups swipe right or left until you hear the name of the group where you want to add the contact. TalkBack announces the group names as you move. When on the group you want, double-tap the screen.

  4. The contact is added to the selected group. To go back to the contact card, swipe left until you hear "Navigate up, button," and double-tap the screen.

Add people to your Favorites

  1. Open the contact card of the person or group you want to add to your Favorites list. To learn how to search for their contact card, refer to Search for a contact and open their contact card, above.

  2. To add the contact to your Favorites list swipe right until you hear "Add to Favorites, button," and then double-tap the screen.

  3. The contact is added to your Favorites list, and you hear: "Contact will be added to Favorites."

Remove people from your Contacts or Favorites

Remove a person from your Contacts

  1. Open the contact card of the person you want to remove from your Contacts. To learn how to search for their contact card, refer to Search for a contact and open their contact card, above.

  2. Swipe right until you hear “More options, button,” and double-tap the screen.

  3. Swipe right until you hear "Remove from contact list," and double-tap the screen.

  4. A confirmation dialog opens and you hear "Alert, remove from contact list." Swipe right until you hear "Remove, button," and double-tap the screen. The person is removed from your Contacts, and you return to the contact card.

Remove a person from your Favorites

  1. Open the contact card of the person you want to remove from your Favorites. To learn how to search for their contact card, refer to Search for a contact and open their contact card, above.

  2. Swipe right until you hear "Remove from Favorites, button," and double-tap the screen. You hear: "Add to Favorites, button. Contact will be removed from Favorites." The contact is removed from your Favorites and the focus is on the Add to favorites button on the contact card.

See also

Use a screen reader to make or receive a call in Skype for Business

Use a screen reader to join an online meeting in Skype for Business

Basic tasks using a screen reader with Skype for Business

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Learn how to navigate Skype for Business using accessible features

Use Skype for Business in Outlook on the web with Narrator, the built-in Windows screen reader, to find a person in Skype for Business, open their contact card, and add them to your Contacts. You can also remove them from your contact list.

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.

  • For keyboard shortcuts, go to Keyboard shortcuts in Outlook on the web.

  • This topic assumes that you are using the built-in Windows screen reader, Narrator. To learn more about using Narrator, go to Complete guide to Narrator.

  • This topic assumes you are using this app with a PC. Some navigation and gestures might be different for a Windows phone or tablet.

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

In this topic

Search for a contact and open their contact card

  1. Open Outlook on the web in your browser and, if necessary, sign in.

    Tip: For sign-in help, refer to Basic tasks using a screen reader with Skype for Business.

  2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Search, search conversation, type contact name," and type the name or email alias of the person or group you want to find. You hear: "Search updated and <the number of> result(s) found in your contacts."

  3. To move to the list, press the Tab key twice. You hear "People" and the first contact’s name and status.

  4. To browse the results, use the Up or Down arrow keys. Narrator reads the contacts for you as you move.

  5. When you hear the name of the contact you want, press Enter. A conversation window opens in a new pane.

  6. Press Shift+Tab until you hear "Open <contact name> profile," and then press Enter. The contact card opens.

Add people to your Contacts

  1. Open the contact card of the person or group you want to add to your Contacts list. To learn how to search for their contact card, refer to Search for a contact and open their contact card, above.

  2. On the contact card, press the Tab key until you hear "Add to contacts, button," and then press Enter. The contact is added to your Contacts list, and you hear: "<Contact name> is now a contact."

  3. To return to your Contacts list, press the Tab key until you hear “Contacts menu item,” and then press Enter.

Remove a person from your Contacts

  1. In your Contacts list, press the Tab key until you hear the first contact name, and then use the Down arrow key to browse your contacts. Narrator reads the contact names as you move.

  2. When on the contact you want to remove, press Enter. The conversation window opens in a new pane.

  3. Press Shift+Tab until you hear "Open <contact name> profile," and press Enter. The contact card opens.

  4. Press the Tab key until you hear "Delete contact, button," and then press Enter. A notification window opens and you hear: "Dialog delete contact, focus on delete button." To confirm the removal and close the notification window, press Enter. You hear: "Contact deleted."

See also

Use a screen reader to send an Instant Message in Skype for Business

Keyboard shortcuts in Outlook on the web

Basic tasks using a screen reader with Skype for Business

Learn how to navigate Skype for Business using accessible features

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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