Use a screen reader to check spelling and grammar in Outlook
Applies ToOutlook for Microsoft 365 Outlook 2024 Outlook 2021 Outlook 2019 Outlook 2016 Outlook.com Outlook for iOS Outlook on the web for Exchange Server 2016

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.

Note: Outlook-for-Mac information on this topic is available here.

Use the new Outlook with your keyboard and a screen reader to automatically check for potential spelling and grammatical errors and to go through the errors and fix them. 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.

Important: New Outlook for Windows supports Exchange-backed Microsoft 365 work or school accounts. Currently, the new Outlook for Windows does not support other account types like Gmail, Yahoo!, iCloud, or other account types connecting through POP/IMAP protocols. New Outlook for Windows also does not currently support On-Premises, Hybrid, or Sovereign Exchange deployments.

Notes: 

 Check the spelling and grammar in an email

  1. In a draft email, press F6 until you hear: "Ribbon tabs."

  2. Press P to open the Options menu, and then press P, R to open the Editor submenu.

  3. Press the Down arrow key until you hear "Open editor," and then press Enter. The Editor window opens.

  4. Press the Tab key until you hear a brief description of the Spelling button, and then "Spelling." Press Enter. The spell checker moves to the first misspelled word and opens the Spelling suggestions window. The focus is on the first item in the spelling suggestions list.

  5. In the spelling suggestions list, do one of the following:

    • Press the Up or Down arrow key until you hear the spelling or alternative phrase you want, and then press Enter to replace the word.

    • If you want to ignore the error or add the error to the dictionary, press the Tab key until you hear the option you want, and then press Enter.

      After you correct or ignore an error, the focus moves to the next error.

  6. Repeat step 5 for each error.

  7. When Outlook finishes reviewing the spellings, the focus automatically moves to the Grammar suggestions window. The focus is on the grammar suggestion and you hear the suggestion. Press Enter to accept the suggestion or press the Tab key to select another option, for example, ignore the suggestion, and then press Enter. After you correct or ignore a suggestion, the focus moves to the next suggestion.

    Note: If there is a grammatical error, the screen reader reads the suggestion and the reason why the section was marked as incorrect, for example, "A helping verb or main verb may be needed here" or "Remove extra space between words."

  8. When the spelling and grammar check is done, press the Tab key until you hear "Close pane," and then press Enter to close the editor.

See also

Use a screen reader to migrate your settings to new Outlook

Use a screen reader to organize your inbox in new Outlook

Keyboard shortcuts for Outlook

Basic tasks using a screen reader with email in Outlook

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Outlook Mail

Basic tasks using a screen reader with the calendar in Outlook

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.

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.