Use a braille display with Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Vids, & Drawings

You can use a braille display to read and edit files on Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings.

Recommended browser & screen readers

Docs Editors recommends Chrome and:

• NVDA or JAWS on Windows
• ChromeVox on ChromeOS
• VoiceOver on macOS

Turn on braille support

1. On your computer, open a document, spreadsheet, presentation, or drawing.
2. In the Tools menu, select Accessibility settings.
3. Select Turn on screen reader support.
4. Select Turn on braille support.

Tip: You can also use shortcuts:

• On Windows/Chrome OS: Ctrl + Alt + h
• On Mac: ⌘ + Option + h

Use files with braille support

After you turn on braille support, you'll notice the following improvements:

• You can use the cursor routing buttons on your braille display to move the cursor.
• You can use many of your usual screen reader shortcuts, in addition to keyboard shortcuts.
• Faster screen reader typing echo.
• Faster screen reader navigation handling when you navigate by character.
• Better screen reader announcements of punctuation and whitespace.
• While you type, your screen reader uses its settings for character echo and word echo instead of always echoing characters.

Turn off braille support

1. On your computer, open a document, spreadsheet, presentation, or drawing.
2. In the Tools menu, select Accessibility settings.
3. Deselect Turn on braille support.

Important: This article refers to Vids, a product available for select customers to test in Alpha and users in Google Workspace Labs, which is an invite only program for users to try new AI features. Users with Vids access can invite any user with a Workspace account to find, edit, and collaborate on a video. Workspace Labs is currently available to trusted testers in English and may not be available in your country or region.