Use a screen reader to create a list from the Microsoft Lists app

In this topic

• Create a new blank list

• Create a list by using a template

Create a new blank list

Create a list in Microsoft Lists to track information or organize your work.

1. In the Microsoft Lists app, tap at the bottom of the screen with four fingers. You hear: "My lists, tab." Swipe left once. You hear: "Create new list." Double-tap the screen. The Create New dialog box opens.

2. Swipe right until you hear "List template, blank list," and then double-tap the screen.

3. The focus is in the Name field. Use the on-screen keyboard to type a descriptive name for your list. When you’re done, swipe right until you hear "Done," and then double-tap the screen to close the keyboard.

4. To add a description for your list, swipe right until you hear "What is your list about," double-tap the screen, and then type the description. Swipe right until you hear "Done," and then double-tap the screen.

5. To choose the color for your list icon, swipe right until you hear "Choose a color," and then swipe right until you hear the color you want. Double-tap the screen to select.

6. To choose an icon for your list, swipe right until you hear "Choose an icon," and then swipe right until you hear the icon you want. Double-tap the screen to select.

7. To select where to save the new list, swipe right until you hear "My Lists, button," and then double-tap the screen. Swipe right or left to browse the locations. If you want to keep the list private or share it with only a select group of people, select My Lists. To automatically share it with all owners and members of a Microsoft team or a SharePoint site you belong to, select it from the Recent sites list. Double-tap the screen to select.

8. To create the list, tap at the top of the screen with four fingers. You hear: "Dismiss." Swipe right until you hear "Create," and then double-tap the screen. Your list opens. You can now start adding list items to your list. For instructions, go to Use a screen reader to add or edit list items in Microsoft Lists.

Create a list by using a template

Use a built-in template with predesigned formatting and structure to create a list quickly.

1. In the Microsoft Lists app, tap at the bottom of the screen with four fingers. You hear: "My lists, tab." Swipe left once. You hear: "Create new list." Double-tap the screen. The Create New dialog box opens.

2. Swipe right until you hear the template you want, and then double-tap the screen.

3. A preview page of the template opens. To hear the column headers in the template, swipe right.

4. When you’re done previewing the template, do one of the following:

   • To use the selected template, slide one finger at the bottom-center of the screen until you hear "Use this template," and then double-tap the screen.

   • If you want to select another template, tap at the bottom of the screen with four fingers. You hear: "Toolbar, next template." Double-tap the screen. To preview the other template, tap at the top of the screen, and then swipe right to hear the column headers. To continue reviewing the other templates, repeat this step. To select a template, slide one finger at the bottom-center of the screen until you hear "Use this template," and then double-tap the screen.

5. The focus is in the Name field. Use the on-screen keyboard to type a descriptive name for your list. When you’re done, swipe right until you hear "Done," and then double-tap the screen to close the keyboard.

6. To add a description for your list, swipe right until you hear "Description," and then swipe right once more. You hear the default description for the template. Double-tap the screen, and then update the description as needed. Swipe right until you hear "Done," and then double-tap the screen.

7. To choose the color for your list icon, swipe right until you hear "Choose a color," and then swipe right until you hear the color you want. Double-tap the screen to select.

8. To choose an icon for your list, swipe right until you hear "Choose an icon," and then swipe right until you hear the icon you want. Double-tap the screen to select.

9. To select where to save the new list, swipe right until you hear "My Lists, button," and then double-tap the screen. Swipe right or left to browse the locations. If you want to keep the list private or share it with only a select group of people, select My Lists. To automatically share it with all owners and members of a Microsoft team or a SharePoint site you belong to, select it from the Recent sites list. Double-tap the screen to select.

10. To create the list, tap at the top of the screen with four fingers. You hear: "Dismiss." Swipe right until you hear "Create," and then double-tap the screen. Your list opens. You can now start adding list items to your list. For instructions, go to Use a screen reader to add or edit list items in Microsoft Lists.

See also

Use a screen reader to add or edit list items in Microsoft Lists

Use a screen reader to create a list in a Microsoft Teams channel

Use a screen reader to share a list or list item in Microsoft Lists

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Microsoft Lists help & learning

In this topic

• Create a new blank list

• Create a list by using a template

Create a new blank list

Create a list in Microsoft Lists to track information or organize your work.

1. In the Microsoft Lists app, slide one finger around the bottom-center of the screen until you hear: "New, tab." Double-tap the screen. The Create dialog box opens.

2. Swipe right until you hear "Blank list," and then double-tap the screen.

3. The focus is in the Name field. Double-tap the screen to open the on-screen keyboard, and then type a descriptive name for your list. When you’re done, swipe down-then-left to close the keyboard.

4. To add a description for your list, swipe right until you hear "What is your list about," double-tap the screen, and then type the description. When you’re done, slide one finger around the upper-right corner of the screen until you hear "Done," and then double-tap the screen.

5. To choose the color for your list icon, swipe right until you hear "Choose a color," and then swipe right until you hear the color you want. Double-tap the screen to select.

6. To choose an icon for your list, swipe right until you hear "Choose an icon," and then swipe right until you hear the icon you want. Double-tap the screen to select.

7. To select where to save the new list, swipe right until you hear "My Lists," and then double-tap the screen. Swipe right or left to browse the locations. If you want to keep the list private or share it with only a select group of people, select My Lists. To automatically share it with all owners and members of a Microsoft team or a SharePoint site you belong to, select it from the Recent sites list. Double-tap the screen to select.

8. To create the list, slide one finger around the upper-right corner of the screen until you hear "Create," and then double-tap the screen. Your list opens. You can now start adding list items to your list. For instructions, go to Use a screen reader to add or edit list items in Microsoft Lists. 

Create a list by using a template

Use a built-in template with predesigned formatting and structure to create a list quickly.

1. In the Microsoft Lists app, slide one finger around the bottom-center of the screen until you hear: "New, tab." Double-tap the screen. The Create dialog box opens.

2. Swipe right until you hear the template you want, and then double-tap the screen.

3. A preview page of the template opens. To hear the column headers in the template, swipe right.

4. When you’re done previewing the template, do one of the following:

   • To use the selected template, slide one finger at the bottom-center of the screen until you hear "Use this template," and then double-tap the screen.

   • If you want to select another template, swipe right until you hear "Previous template" or "Next template." Double-tap the screen. To preview the other template, slide one finger at the top of the screen until you hear "Preview template," and then swipe right to hear the column headers. To continue reviewing the other templates, repeat this step. To select a template, slide one finger at the bottom-center of the screen until you hear "Use this template," and then double-tap the screen.

5. The focus is in the Name field. Double-tap the screen to open the on-screen keyboard, and then type a descriptive name for your list. When you’re done, swipe down-then-left to close the keyboard.

6. To add a description for your list, swipe right until you hear "Description," and then swipe right once more. You hear the default description for the template. Double-tap the screen, and then update the description as needed. When you’re done, slide one finger around the upper-right corner of the screen until you hear "Done," and then double-tap the screen.

7. To choose the color for your list icon, swipe right until you hear "Choose a color," and then swipe right until you hear the color you want. Double-tap the screen to select.

8. To choose an icon for your list, swipe right until you hear "Choose an icon," and then swipe right until you hear the icon you want. Double-tap the screen to select.

9. To select where to save the new list, swipe right until you hear "My Lists," and then double-tap the screen. Swipe right or left to browse the locations. If you want to keep the list private or share it with only a select group of people, select My Lists. To automatically share it with all owners and members of a Microsoft team or a SharePoint site you belong to, select it from the Recent sites list. Double-tap the screen to select.

10. To create the list, slide one finger around the upper-right corner of the screen until you hear "Create," and then double-tap the screen. Your list opens. You can now start adding list items to your list. For instructions, go to Use a screen reader to add or edit list items in Microsoft Lists.

See also

Use a screen reader to add or edit list items in Microsoft Lists

Use a screen reader to share a list or list item in Microsoft Lists

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Microsoft Lists help & learning

In this topic

• Create a new blank list

• Create a list by using the formatting from an existing list

• Create a list by importing a table from an Excel file

• Create a list by using a template

Create a new blank list

Create a list in Microsoft Lists to track information or organize your work.

1. To open Microsoft Lists, in Microsoft 365 at office.com, press the Tab key until you hear "App launcher," and then press Enter. Press the Tab key until you hear "All apps," and then press the Tab key once to go to the Search field. Type Lists. Press the Tab key until you hear "Lists," and then press Enter.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "New list," and then press Enter. The Create a list dialog box opens.

3. Press the Tab key until you hear "Create blank list," and then press Enter.

4. The focus is in the Name field. Type a descriptive name for your list.

5. To add a description for your list, press the Tab key until you hear "Description, edit," and then type the description.

6. To choose the color for your list icon, press the Tab key until you hear "Choose a color," and then use the Right or Left arrow key to select a color.

7. To choose an icon for your list, press the Tab key until you hear "Choose an icon," and then use the Right or Left arrow key to select an icon.

8. To select where to save the new list, press the Tab key until you hear "Save to," and then press Enter. Use the Down or Up arrow key to browse the locations. If you want to keep the list private or share it with only a select group of people, select My Lists. To automatically share it with all owners and members of a Microsoft team or a SharePoint site you belong to, select it from the Recent sites list. Press Enter to select.

9. To create the list, press the Tab key until you hear "Create," and then press Enter. Your list opens. You can now start adding list items to your list. For instructions, go to Use a screen reader to add or edit list items in Microsoft Lists.

Create a list by using the formatting from an existing list

Save time and create a new list based on the formatting of another list. Your new list will start with all the same formatting and columns, but it won't include any of the data from the original list.

1. To open Microsoft Lists, in Microsoft 365 at office.com, press the Tab key until you hear "App launcher," and then press Enter. Press the Tab key until you hear "All apps," and then press the Tab key once to go to the Search field. Type Lists. Press the Tab key until you hear "Lists," and then press Enter.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "New list," and then press Enter. The Create a list dialog box opens.

3. Press the Tab key until you hear "Create from existing list," and then press Enter.

4. The Select an existing list dialog box opens. Press the Tab key until you hear "Select a team or site," and then use the Down or Up arrow key to select the location for the existing list.

5. Press the Tab key once. You hear: "Available lists." Use the Down or Up arrow key to select the list whose formatting you want to copy for your new list.

6. Press the Tab key until you hear "Next," and then press Enter.

7. The focus is in the Name field. Type a descriptive name for your list.

8. To add a description for your list, press the Tab key until you hear "Description, edit," and then type the description.

9. To choose the color for your list icon, press the Tab key until you hear "Choose a color," and then use the Right or Left arrow key to select a color.

10. To choose an icon for your list, press the Tab key until you hear "Choose an icon," and then use the Right or Left arrow key to select an icon.

11. To select where to save the new list, press the Tab key until you hear "Save to," and then press Enter. Use the Down or Up arrow key to browse the locations. If you want to keep the list private or share it with only a select group of people, select My Lists. To automatically share it with all owners and members of a Microsoft team or a SharePoint site you belong to, select it from the Recent sites list. Press Enter to select.

12. To create the list, press the Tab key until you hear "Create," and then press Enter. Your list opens. You can now start adding list items to your list. For instructions, go to Use a screen reader to add or edit list items in Microsoft Lists.

Create a list by importing a table from an Excel file

You can import table data from your Excel file to Microsoft Lists. When importing, you can customize which columns you want to include from the table.

1. To open Microsoft Lists, in Microsoft 365 at office.com, press the Tab key until you hear "App launcher," and then press Enter. Press the Tab key until you hear "All apps," and then press the Tab key once to go to the Search field. Type Lists. Press the Tab key until you hear "Lists," and then press Enter.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "New list," and then press Enter. The Create a list dialog box opens.

3. Press the Tab key until you hear "Create from Excel," and then press Enter.

4. The From Excel dialog box opens. Do one of the following:

   • To upload a file from your device, press the Tab key until you hear "Upload a file," and then press Enter. Navigate to the file you want, and then press Enter to select.

   • To select a file from OneDrive, press the Tab key until you hear "List of folders," and then with Narrator and JAWS use the Down or Up arrow key to browse the folders. With NVDA, switch to focus mode, and then use the Down or Up arrow key to browse the folders. Press Enter to open a folder. When on the file you want, press the Tab key until you hear "Next," and then press Enter.

5. The Customize dialog box opens. Press the Tab key until you hear "Select a table from this file," press Enter, and then use the Down or Up arrow key to browse to the table you want. Press Enter to select.

6. Press the Tab key once to enter the table. With Narrator and JAWS, you hear "Specify a field type for," followed by the name of the column. With NVDA, you hear "Column header row," followed by the name of the column and then "Specify a field type." If needed, change the field type. Press Enter to open the dropdown menu, use the Down or Up arrow key to browse the options, and then press Enter to select. You can also select the Do not import option if you want to leave out a column. Press the Tab key to move to the next column header, and update the field type, if needed.

7. When you’re done, press the Tab key until you hear "Next," and then press Enter to close the Customize dialog box.

8. The focus is in the Name field. Type a descriptive name for your list.

9. To add a description for your list, press the Tab key until you hear "Description, edit," and then type the description.

10. To choose the color for your list icon, press the Tab key until you hear "Choose a color," and then use the Right or Left arrow key to select a color.

11. To choose an icon for your list, press the Tab key until you hear "Choose an icon," and then use the Right or Left arrow key to select an icon.

12. To select where to save the new list, press the Tab key until you hear "Save to," and then press Enter. Use the Down or Up arrow key to browse the locations. If you want to keep the list private or share it with only a select group of people, select My Lists. To automatically share it with all owners and members of a Microsoft team or a SharePoint site you belong to, select it from the Recent sites list. Press Enter to select.

13. To create the list, press the Tab key until you hear "Create," and then press Enter. Your list opens. You can now edit the list items in your list. For instructions, go to Use a screen reader to add or edit list items in Microsoft Lists.

Create a list by using a template

Use a built-in template with predesigned formatting and structure to create a list quickly.

1. To open Microsoft Lists, in Microsoft 365 at office.com, press the Tab key until you hear "App launcher," and then press Enter. Press the Tab key until you hear "All apps," and then press the Tab key once to go to the Search field. Type Lists. Press the Tab key until you hear "Lists," and then press Enter.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "New list," and then press Enter. The Create a list dialog box opens.

3. Press the Tab key until you hear "Templates," and then do one of the following to browse the templates:

   • With Narrator and JAWS, use the arrow keys. Press Enter to select.

   • With NVDA, switch to focus mode, and then use the arrow keys. Press Enter to select.

4. A preview page of the template opens. To preview the fields in the template, press the Tab key once. You hear the template name, followed by "Template preview." To move between the fields in the template and to hear the column headers and sample data, do one of the following:

   • With Narrator, use the SR key+Right or Left arrow key.

   • With JAWS, turn on the virtual PC cursor, and then use Ctrl+Alt+arrow keys.

   • With NVDA, switch to browse mode, and then use Ctrl+Alt+arrow keys.

5. When you’re done previewing the template, do one of the following:

   • To use the selected template, press the Tab key until you hear "Use template," and then press Enter.

   • If you want to select another template, press the Tab key until you hear "Templates," followed by the name of the current template, and then use the Down or Up arrow key to browse the templates. To preview the other template, repeat step 4. To use this template, press the Tab key until you hear "Use template," and then press Enter.

6. The focus is in the Name field. Type a descriptive name for your list.

7. To add a description for your list, press the Tab key until you hear "Description, edit," and then type the description.

8. To choose the color for your list icon, press the Tab key until you hear "Choose a color," and then use the Right or Left arrow key to select a color.

9. To choose an icon for your list, press the Tab key until you hear "Choose an icon," and then use the Right or Left arrow key to select an icon.

10. To select where to save the new list, press the Tab key until you hear "Save to," and then press Enter. Use the Down or Up arrow key to browse the locations. If you want to keep the list private or share it with only a select group of people, select My Lists. To automatically share it with all owners and members of a Microsoft team or a SharePoint site you belong to, select it from the Recent sites list. Press Enter to select.

11. To create the list, press the Tab key until you hear "Create," and then press Enter. Your list opens. Depending on the template you selected, you might be asked to set up new features for the list, such as interview date reminders for a Recruitment tracker template. Press the Tab key until you hear the option you want, for example, "Don’t add these features" or "Next," if you want to add the features, and then press Enter. You can now start adding list items to your list. For instructions, go to Use a screen reader to add or edit list items in Microsoft Lists.

See also

Use a screen reader to add or edit list items in Microsoft Lists

Use a screen reader to create a list in a Microsoft Teams channel

Use a screen reader to insert a list to a SharePoint page

Use a screen reader to share a list or list item in Microsoft Lists

Microsoft Lists help & learning