Questions and answers
2913Does Office 365 have accessibility features?
Office 365 Accessibility features
Microsoft Office 365 has been designed to include many accessibility features. Windows 10 users will also find many accessibility features which can be used system wide.
Microsoft have a range of online services and information
- Microsoft Champions Accessibility Tips
- Microsoft also provide a Disability Answer Desk where customers with disabilities can seek support with Microsoft Office and Windows. This includes product issues, accessibility questions and use of assistive technology.
- Microsoft Accessibility checking has been built in to allow people to check how accessible their documents and emails are.
Setup Office 365 Accessibility Features on your device.
Office apps work with the accessibility settings and features of most devices. These settings can help to make them easier to use. For example, you can invert or change the colour contrast to make the screen easier to see. Or, you can control the device with the keyboard instead of a mouse, and so on. See Microsoft Set up your device to Work with Accessibility in Office 365 for full information.
Office 365 offers the dictate (speech to text) and either immersive reader or Read Aloud (text to speech) for most apps although functionality varies between the online and installed desktop versions. (Screen reader and keyboard shortcuts information).
There are also features such as PowerPoint design ideas and Tell Me that make it faster and easier to access commands.
Windows 10 users should also visit the Windows 10 Accessibility Features page
Sussex Technology Enhanced Learning site has information on created accessible teaching resources.
Word 365
- Word 365 Online - Immersive reader on the View tab.
- Word 365 Desktop- Read Aloud (Review tab)
Convert spoken word to text:
- Dictate is available on the Home tab of both Word 365 online and installed with Word specific voice commands
Other information:
PowerPoint 365
Read on screen text aloud:
- PowerPoint 365 Online - Not available use the Desktop app
- PowerPoint 365 Desktop- Add Speak command to PowerPoint Quick access toolbar or custom group
Convert spoken word to text:
- Dictate is available on the Home tab of both Word 365 online and installed with PowerPoint secific voice commands
PowerPoint Keystroke equivalents
Other information
- Accessibility support for PowerPoint
- Live captions (subtitles) are available when using the online app in Presenter Mode. In the View tab, Set subtitle settings to Always Use Subtitles
Excel 365
Read on screen text aloud:
- Excel 365 Online - Not available
- Excel 365 Desktop - Learn how to configure Excel Converting text to speech in Excel by adding speak cells icons to the quick access toolbar
Convert spoken word to text:
- Dictate is not available in Excel, instead try the Windows 10 built in speech recognition
Other information
Teams
Read on screen text aloud:
- Teams 365 - Immersive reader in Channel messages, chat messages, or use your own screen reader
Convert spoken word to text:
- Dictate is not available in Excel, instead try the Windows 10 built in speech recognition
- Teams 365 desktop app - Live captions (all meeting attendees) is available and is turned on by the meeting attendee when the meeting is launced via Calendar or from a Channel. Not yet available when initiated via Chat
Other information
- Accessibility support for Teams (Overview of Teams accessibility)
- Microsoft are also aiming to enable Cortana on iOS and Android devices with Teams to enable voice assistance in Teams - expected for release summer 2020
Outlook 365
Read on screen text aloud:
- Outlook 365 online - not available
- Outlook 365 Desktop- Read Aloud available in most areas
Convert spoken word to text:
- Outlook 365 Online - not available
- Outlook 365 Desktop - Dictate is available in most areas on the Desktop App - Outlook spoken commands
Other information
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