Jaws and WindowEyes keystrokes for Flash and PDF

With the help of Barrier Break Technologies we have pulled together a list of Jaws and WindowEyes keystrokes for Flash and PDF. These are based on certain versions of each screen reader, Flash and PDF. Most of these are standard keystrokes but useful to flag within the context of using or testing accessible Flash and PDF. Also included are some useful links.

We’d be interested to hear your feedback, how you get on with the keystrokes, or if you have any more tips and advice that others may find useful.

JAWS keystrokes for PDF

Following is the list of JAWS 7.0 keystrokes for PDF 7.0 and above:

  • CTRL + PAGE DOWN = Move to the next page
  • CTRL + PAGE UP = Move to the previous page
  • ENTER = Turn on Forms Mode
  • NUMPAD PLUS (NUMLOCK Off) = Turn off Forms Mode (Virtual cursor On)
  • CTRL + INSERT + F = Activate and the Find dialog box
  • INSERT + F7 = Links list
  • CTRL + SHIFT + N = Go to page
  • INSERT + F5 = Forms list
  • TAB = Move to the next link or Move to the next form field
  • down arrow = move to next cell
  • Ctrl + Alt + down arrow = move down one cell
  • H = go to next header
  • Number keys 1 to 6 = go to next heading at this level
  • t = find next table (within tables)
  • SHIFT + TAB = Move to the previous link or Move to the previous form field
  • INSERT + PAGE DOWN = Read the status bar
  • INSERT + DOWN ARROW = Say All

Jaws keystrokes for Flash

Following are JAWS 7.0 keystrokes used to work with flash player 8 and above:

  • ARROW keys = To read the next control or piece of text
  • CTRL + HOME = Move to the top of the Flash movie
  • CTRL + END = Move to the bottom of the Flash movie
  • ENTER = Turn On Forms Mode
  • NUMPAD PLUS(NUMLOCK Off) = Turn off Forms Mode (Virtual cursor on)
  • TAB = Move to the next control or piece of text
  • SHIFT + TAB = Move to the prior control piece of text
  • INSERT + N = Toggles between Navigation quick keys: On, Off and Say All
  • F = Move to and read next form field
  • SHIFT + F = Move to and read prior form field
  • INSERT + F = Form field list
  • G = Move to and read next graphic
  • SHIFT + G = Move to and read previous graphic
  • CTRL + INSERT + G = Graphics list
  • B = Move to and read next button
  • SHIFT + B - M= Move to and read previous button
  • CTRL + INSERT + B = Buttons list
  • R = Move to and read next radio button
  • SHIFT + R = Move to and read previous radio button
  • CTRL + INSERT + R = Radio buttons list
  • E = Move to and read next edit field
  • SHIFT +E = Move to and read previous edit field
  • CTRL + INSERT + E = Edit field list
  • X = Move to and read next check box
  • SHIFT + X = Move to and read next check box
  • CTRL + INSERT + X = Check boxes list

Window-Eyes keystrokes for PDF

Following is the list of Window-Eyes 5.5 keystrokes for PDF Reader 6.0 and above:

  • CTRL + PAGE DOWN = Move to the next page
  • CTRL + PAGE UP = Move to the previous page
  • ENTER = Turn Browse Mode Off
  • CTRL + SHIFT + A = Toggles between Browse Mode On/Off
  • INSERT + TAB = Page Navigation dialog box
  • TAB = Move to the next link or Move to the next form control
  • SHIFT + TAB = Move to the previous link or Move to the previous form control
  • CTRL + SHIFT + S = Speak summary
  • CTRL + SHIFT + R = Say All
  • T = Move to the next table
  • SHIFT + T = Move to the previous table
  • L = Move to and read next link
  • SHIFT + L = Move to and read previous link
  • V = Move to and read next visited link
  • SHIFT + V = Move to and read previous visited link
  • C = Move to and read next control
  • SHIFT + C = Move to and read previous control

Window-Eyes keystrokes for Flash

Following are Window-Eyes 5.5 keystrokes used to work with Flash player 8 and above:

  • ARROW keys = To read the controls or text
  • CTRL + HOME = Move to the top of the Flash movie
  • CTRL + END = Move to the bottom of the Flash movie
  • CTRL + SHIFT + A = Toggles between Browse Mode On/Off
  • TAB = Move to and read next control
  • SHIFT + TAB = Move to and read prior control
  • C = Move to and read next control
  • SHIFT + C = Move to and read prior control
  • ENTER = Turn Browse Mode Off
  • CTRL + SHIFT + S = Speak summary

Further useful resources


Screen reader access for PDF - a Jaws user guide

Accessible Flash banner ads
Reading and presenting with PowerPoint if you are a screen reader user