Basic Training for NVDA

Release Date: 28 September 2016

Thank you for your interest in the official NVDA training materials.

This free sample is an extract from the full "Basic Training for NVDA" module. As well as the introduction, this sample includes the following chapter:

Chapter 11: Review Cursor

Note that the Review Cursor section does assume some previous knowledge covered in the earlier sections in the full module. It should be useful, however, in providing an understanding of the way the book is structured and the depth of information provided.

If you find this sample useful, you are encouraged to purchase the full version from NV Access

The Basic Training for NVDA eBook is the first module in the official set of training materials for learning to use the free NVDA screen reader.

The purchase price of the full version supports the work of NV Access and our ability to provide the NVDA screen reading software free of charge.

Copyright notice

Copyright © 2016 by NV Access Limited.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of NV Access Limited.

Although every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

First publication: April 2016

This edition: September 2016

ISBN: 978-0-9945838-0-2

NV Access

Microsoft, Word, WordPad and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

"Basic Training for NVDA" is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, nor has it been authorised, sponsored or otherwise approved by, Microsoft Corporation.

1 Introduction

This "Basic Training for NVDA" module covers the essentials of using Windows with NVDA. It is designed as the first in a series of modules covering various aspects of using NVDA and Windows.

1.1 What is NVDA?

NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free "screen reader" which reads the text on the screen in a computerised voice. You can control what information is read aloud and also convert the text into braille if a "braille display" is connected to the PC.

1.2 Goals

This module consists of the following sections:

Goals are presented at the beginning of each section with related review activities at the end of each section.

1.3 Prerequisites

It is expected that you are comfortable typing and locating keys on your computer's keyboard.

It is assumed that you will either have NVDA (and a braille display if required) already installed or will obtain assistance with installation and initial setup. Please refer to the "NVDA Setup Guide" section at the end of this module for how to download and install NVDA if needed.

You will need to have access to a computer which meets the following minimum requirements:

11 NVDA Review Cursor Basics

The aim of this section is to explore the NVDA review cursor. The review cursor allows you to read backward or forward through a document without moving the focus or the caret. You can also find out spelling and formatting information.

Goals for this section:

11.1 Introducing The Review Cursor

So far, when moving around a document in WordPad or a web page in Internet Explorer, we have moved the caret or focus. Using a mode called the "Review cursor", it is possible to read ahead or back through a document without moving the focus. This can be useful for checking calculations, an address, or the spelling of a word, for instance, without losing the current place in the text.

First, let's move by line. Press numpad 7 (laptop: NVDA+up arrow) to move the review cursor up one line. Press numpad 8 (laptop: NVDA+shift+.) to read the current line the review cursor is on. Press numpad 9 (laptop: NVDA+down arrow) to move the review cursor down one line.

When moving by line, the review cursor always moves to the start of the line. This is slightly different to using the up and down arrows which often move to the current point in the previous or next line.

If using a braille display, by default the display will be "tethered" to the focus. As the review cursor is moved, although NVDA will read where the review cursor is, the output from the braille display will not change.

Let's use the review cursor now:

Activity: Introducing the review cursor

  1. Open WordPad and type the following lines:

    Meadow all quiet
    Eagle swoops down catching lunch
    Daisies bask in sun

  2. Press numpad 7 (laptop: NVDA+up arrow) once, the review cursor moves back to the second line.
  3. Press NVDA+up arrow (laptop: NVDA+l to read the current line. NVDA reads the third line, as that is where the caret is still.
  4. Press numpad 8 (laptop NVDA+shift+.) to read the line the review cursor is on. It is still on the second line.
  5. Press numpad 7 (laptop: NVDA+up arrow), the review cursor moves to the first line.
  6. Press numpad 9 (laptop: NVDA+down arrow) to move the review cursor back to the third line.
  7. Press up arrow twice to move the caret to the first line.
  8. Press numpad 8 (laptop NVDA+shift+.) to read the line the review cursor is on. It is on the first line, as it moved to the caret when the caret was moved.
  9. Save the file as "meadow" and leave it open to return to next activity.

11.2 Moving by word

As well as moving by line, the review cursor can be moved by word. Press numpad 4 (laptop: NVDA+control+left arrow) to move the review cursor to the start of the previous word. Press numpad 5 (laptop: NVDA+control+.) to read the current word at the review cursor. Press numpad 6 (laptop: NVDA+control+right arrow) to move to the start of the next word.

As covered previously, press NVDA+f to read the formatting of the current text. This command gives information about the text at the review cursor, rather than the caret.

If using a Braille display, it is possible to set the braille display to follow the review cursor, in order to more closely follow in Braille, what is being read aloud. Press NVDA+control+t to toggle whether the braille display is tethered to the focus (the default) or to the review cursor.

Let's move the review cursor by word now:

Activity: Moving the review cursor by word.

  1. Make sure the "meadow" document from last activity is still open in WordPad and press control+home to move to the start of the document.
  2. Press down arrow to move to the start of the second line. If using a Braille display, toggle tethering it to the review cursor with NVDA+control+t.
  3. Press shift+end to select the line and control+b to make the text bold.
  4. Press control+end to move the caret to the end of the document.
  5. Press numpad 7 (laptop: NVDA+up arrow) to move the review cursor to the start of the previous line. If using a Braille display, note that it is reading the review cursor text now.
  6. Press numpad 6 (laptop: NVDA+control+right arrow) to move the review cursor right one word.
  7. Press NVDA+f to read the formatting and note that the current text at the review cursor is bold.
  8. Press NVDA+up arrow (laptop: NVDA+l) to confirm the focus is still on the third line, which isn't bold.
  9. Save the meadow document and close WordPad.

11.3 Moving by Character and Spelling

As well as moving by word and line, the review cursor can also be moved by character.

Press numpad 1 (laptop: NVDA+left arrow) to read by character with the review cursor. Press numpad 2 (laptop: NVDA+.) to read the current character. Press numpad 3 (laptop: NVDA+right arrow) to read the next character with the review cursor.

In desktop layout, remembering the 3x3 grid on the number pad may help to remember the review cursor commands. Top to bottom the commands are for line, word and character. Left to right the commands are for previous, current and next.

In laptop layout, the review cursor navigation commands are similar to the commands for moving the caret with the addition of the NVDA modifier key.

Moving the review cursor by character is one way to read the spelling of text. Another way to spell the current word is to press numpad 5 (laptop: NVDA+control+.) twice quickly. Press NVDA+numpad 8 (laptop: NVDA+shift+.) twice quickly to spell the current line. Press either command three times quickly to spell using character descriptions.

Let's write a letter and use the review cursor to spell some text now:

Activity: Moving by character and spelling

  1. Open WordPad and type the following lines:

    Dear Mr Kent,
    Offence was not meant!
    We spelt your name badly,
    Now we all feel sadly!
    Forgive us please now Mr Brown.

  2. Press control+home to move to the first line.
  3. Move the review cursor to the last line of the text. If using a braille display, note whether it is tethered to the focus or the review cursor. Press NVDA+control+t to change where it is tethered.
  4. Press numpad 6 (laptop: NVDA+control+right arrow) to move the focus to the word "now".
  5. Press numpad 3 (laptop: NVDA+right arrow) until the review cursor is at the "w" in the word "Brown".
  6. Press numpad 5 (laptop: NVDA+control+.) twice quickly to spell the current word at the review cursor.
  7. Press numpad 5 (laptop: NVDA+control+.) three times quickly to spell the current word at the review cursor with character descriptions.
  8. Press NVDA+up arrow (laptop: NVDA+l) twice quickly to spell the line back where the caret is to check the spelling of the name this letter is addressed to.
  9. Save the document as "names" and leave it open for next activity.

11.4 Tethering the review cursor

The review cursor stays with the caret until it is moved separately. This means that reading formatting with NVDA+f or spelling the current word with NVDA+numpad 5 (laptop: NVDA+control+.) can be used when reading regular text or web pages normally.

It is possible to toggle whether the review cursor stays with the caret or moves independently by pressing NVDA+6. NVDA will announce "Caret moves review cursor off" or "Caret moves review cursor on" as the setting is toggled.

Let's correct the second name in the "names" document while practising tethering and untethering the review cursor:

Activity: Tethering the review cursor

  1. Make sure the "names" document is open in WordPad from the previous activity.
  2. Press NVDA+6 to turn "Caret moves review cursor" off.
  3. Press control+end to move the caret (and review cursor) to the end of the document, then press control+left arrow to move back to the start of the word "Brown".
  4. Press control+delete to remove the word Brown.
  5. Move the review cursor up to the first line, and across to the name "Kent".
  6. Press numpad 5 (laptop: NVDA+control+.) twice quickly to spell the name.
  7. The caret is still at the end of the document, where the old name was deleted. Type the new name, as it was spelt in the previous step.
  8. Press numpad 8 (laptop: NVDA+shift+.) to read the current review cursor line. Note that the review cursor is still on the first line "Dear Mr Kent", even though typing in the previous step moved the caret.
  9. Tether the review cursor to the caret again before saving the document and closing WordPad.

11.5 Other Navigation Commands

There are a number of other commands which can be used to control the location of the review cursor.

All the commands to move the review cursor may seem slightly redundant in WordPad where there are already simpler commands available. The real power of the review cursor will be more apparent in the next Section on Object Navigation. Using the review cursor in combination with object navigation will allow accessing text which is not otherwise available using the regular text navigation keystrokes.

The last commands to be covered in moving the review cursor are:

Let's practise some more review cursor navigation:

Activity: Other review cursor navigation

  1. Open WordPad with a new, blank document.
  2. Type the following lines of text:

    This line has five words,
    This line has four.
    Gliders and birds,
    all love to soar.

  3. Press shift+numpad 7 (laptop: NVDA+control+home) to move to the top line.
  4. Press shift+numpad 3 (laptop: NVDA+end) to move to the end of the current line.
  5. Press numpad 4 (laptop: NVDA+control+left arrow) to move back one word.
  6. Press numpad 5 (laptop: NVDA+control+.) twice quickly to spell the current word.
  7. Press shift+numpad 1 (laptop: NVDA+home) to move to the start of the current line.
  8. Press numpad plus (laptop: NVDA+shift+a) to read from the current point onwards.
  9. Save the document as "soar" and leave it open to return to next activity.

11.6 Copying Text

As well as moving the review cursor to read a different part of a web page or document to where the focus is, you can also copy text from the review cursor. In both desktop and laptop layout, use NVDA+f9 to mark the start of the text to copy. Next, use the review cursor navigation keys to move to the end of the text to copy. Press NVDA+f10 to finish and select the text, and then NVDA+f10 again to copy the text to the clipboard.

Note that when copying in this mode, the selection includes the character to the right of the review cursor. That is, the character read out when moving by character, or the first character of the next word or line when moving by word or line.

Activity: Copying text with the review cursor

  1. Make sure the "soar" document is open from the previous activity.
  2. Use the review cursor to move to the start of the third line ("Gliders and birds").
  3. Press NVDA+f9 to start marking text.
  4. Press shift+numpad 3 (laptop: NVDA+end) to move to the end of the current line.
  5. Press numpad 1 (laptop: NVDA+left arrow to unselect the last character.
  6. Press NVDA+f10 twice quickly to finish selecting text and copy the text to the clipboard.
  7. Move the caret to the first line and select the text "five words".
  8. Press control+v to paste the copied text, making the first line read "This line has gliders and birds".
  9. Close the document without saving.

11.7 Review Cursor Review

This section covered using the Review cursor. There are quite a lot of keystrokes in this section, more than were covered in the activities, so feel free to come back and review this section again. Some of the key concepts included:

Activity: Review cursor review

  1. Open WordPad and type the following lines of text:

    Some of my favourite animals:
    Two cats, Meg and Mog,
    four birds and a dog.
    Plus a sheep is a total of:

  2. Move the review cursor to the top line.
  3. Read through the text, using the review cursor to work out how many animals there are.
  4. Write the answer. Because the review cursor was used to read back through the information, the caret didn't move from its original position at the end of the text.
  5. Move the review cursor to just after the word "Some" on the first line and mark to start copying text.
  6. Move the review cursor to select the text "of my favourite animals". Include the space before "of", but avoid selecting the colon.
  7. Press the keystroke to select and then copy the text to the clipboard, move to the end of the document and paste the copied text.
  8. Read through the document. The last line should now read "Plus a sheep is a total of: 8 of my favourite animals".
  9. Close WordPad without saving.

This is the end of the free sample. The full book may be purchased from NV Access