Use a screen reader to organize things with the calendar board view in new Outlook
Applies ToOutlook for Microsoft 365

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

Use new Outlook with your keyboard and a screen reader to organize your calendars, tasks lists, sticky notes, links, goals, and even reminders in one place using the board view. We have tested it with Narrator, but it might work with other screen readers as long as they follow common accessibility standards and techniques.

Notes: 

In this topic

Create a board

It's simple to create a new board where you can organize your Outlook calendar items.

  1. In Outlook, press Ctrl+2 to open the Calendar view. You hear "Calendar," followed by your name.

  2. Press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear the name of the current tab, for example, "Home tab." Press the Tab key once, and then press the Right arrow key until you hear: "Board, button."

  3. Press the SR key+Right arrow key until you hear "Expand to see more board options, button," and then press the SR key+Enter to open the options menu.

  4. Press the Down arrow key until you hear "New board, menu item," and then press Enter. The New board dialog box opens. You hear: "Enter a name, edit."

  5. Type the name you want for the board, and then press the Tab key once. You hear: "Create, button." Press Enter to finish creating the board. Outlook opens your new board view.

Add items to a board

You can add items such as calendars, task lists, and tips for getting the most out of the board view.

  1. While in your board view, press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear the name of the current tab, for example, "Home tab item." Press the Tab key once, and then press the Right or Left arrow key until you hear: "Add to board." Press Enter to open the list of options.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • To add a calendar, note, task list, collection, goal, or file, press the Down or Up arrow key until you hear the option you want, and then press Enter. Depending on the item you are adding, you need to select the file, type the note text, or otherwise complete the addition. Use the Tab key and arrow keys to navigate, press Enter to make a selection, and use the keyboard to type text.

    • To add a link, image, weather, clock, person, location, or tips, press the Down arrow key until you hear "Show all," and then press Spacebar. Press the Down or Up arrow key until you hear the option you want, and then press Enter. Depending on the item you added, you need to select the image, add a city to the clock, or otherwise complete the addition. Use the Tab key and arrow keys to navigate, press Enter to make a selection, and use the keyboard to type text.

  3. After adding an item, press Esc twice to return the focus to the board view. To add another item, repeat these steps.

See also

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

Basic tasks using a screen reader with the calendar in Outlook

Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365

Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Outlook Calendar

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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