Use a screen reader to request read and delivery receipts in Outlook
Applies ToOutlook for Microsoft 365 Outlook 2024 Outlook 2021 Outlook 2019 Outlook 2016 Outlook for iOS Outlook Web App

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 guidance on this topic is available here. 

Use Outlook with your keyboard and a screen reader to request read or delivery receipts. We've 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. You'll also learn how to choose how to respond when others request read receipts from you.

You receive a delivery receipt when your email has been delivered to the recipient's email server. A read receipt is sent to you when the recipient has viewed your email. You can open and read the receipts like a regular email using your screen reader.

Decorative icon. Need instructions on how to add or request read receipts or delivery notifications, but not using a screen reader? See Add delivery receipt to track an e-mail message or Add and request read receipts and delivery notifications.

Notes: 

In this topic

Request a read or delivery receipt for a single email

When you're creating a new message, forwarding, or replying to an email, you can request a read or delivery receipt for that particular email as a one-time action.

  1. When composing a message, do one or both of the following:

    • To request a delivery receipt, press Alt+P, U.

    • To request a read receipt, press Alt+P, Q.

Request a read or delivery receipt for all emails

To request read or delivery receipts for all outgoing emails, change the Outlook options.

  1. In the Outlook main view, press Alt+F, T. The Outlook Options window opens.

  2. To go to the Mail tab, press the Down arrow key until you hear: "Mail."

  3. Do one or both of the following:

    • To request a delivery receipt, press Alt+Y. The option is selected.

    • To request a read receipt, press Alt+R repeatedly until you hear: "Tracking, Read receipt confirming the recipient viewed the message." To select, press Spacebar.

  4. To exit the Outlook Options window, press the Tab key until you hear "OK button," and then press Enter.

Set how to handle requests for read receipts

You can choose how to handle requests for read receipts that you receive from others. For instructions on how to respond when you're prompted to send a receipt, go to Respond to a read receipt request.

  1. In the Outlook Mail main view, press Alt+F, T. The Outlook Options window opens.

  2. To go to the Mail tab, press the Down arrow key until you hear: "Mail."

  3. Do one of the following:

    • To always send a read receipt, press Alt+A repeatedly until you hear: "For any message received that includes a read receipt request, always send a read receipt." To select, press Spacebar.

    • To never send a read receipt, press Alt+N repeatedly until you hear: "Never send a read receipt." To select, press Spacebar.

    • To have Outlook prompt you each time whether to send a receipt, press Alt+M repeatedly until you hear: "For any message received that includes a read receipt request, ask each time whether to send a read receipt." To select, press Spacebar.

  4. To exit the Outlook Options window, press the Tab key until you hear "OK button," and then press Enter.

Respond to a read receipt request

If you selected to be prompted each time you receive an email with a read receipt request, you need to decide whether to send the receipt or not for each one separately.

  1. When you open an email that includes a read receipt request, you hear "Microsoft Outlook dialog, Yes, button," followed by a message that the sender is requesting a receipt.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • To send the receipt, press Enter.

    • To read the email without sending the receipt, press Alt+N.

See also

Use a screen reader to work with folders in Outlook

Use a screen reader to create bulleted or numbered lists in Outlook

Keyboard shortcuts for Outlook

Use a screen reader to zoom in or out in 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

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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