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

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

Screen readers & browsers you can use

Chrome OS

On Chrome OS, you can use ChromeVox with Chrome.

Important: Make sure to use the latest versions of Chrome OS and ChromeVox.

Windows

On Windows, you can use NVDA or JAWS with Chrome or Firefox.

Important: Make sure to use the latest version of JAWS or NVDA. Braille support in Sheets for Windows might cause issues on older versions of JAWS and NVDA.

Mac

On Mac, you can use VoiceOver with Chrome, on the latest version of 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.
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