NVDA Screen Reader Setup and Overview

Getting Started

Download NVDA from the official NV Access website:

https://www.nvaccess.org/download/

After installing NVDA, you can start the screen reader using the following shortcut:

• Start NVDA: Ctrl + Alt + N
• Open NVDA Menu: NVDA + N
• Quit NVDA: NVDA + Q

The NVDA modifier key is usually the Insert key or Caps Lock, depending on the configuration selected during setup.

Recommended Setup

When NVDA is started for the first time, a configuration dialog appears. The following settings are recommended for most users:

1. Use the Desktop keyboard layout. This layout provides access to the complete set of NVDA keyboard commands.
2. Enable CapsLock as NVDA modifier key. This makes it easier to use NVDA keyboard commands without relying on the Insert key.
3. Disable the following options if automatic startup is not desired:
   • Start NVDA after I sign in
   • Show this dialog when NVDA starts

Additional options such as speech rate, voice selection, and visual highlighting can be configured later from the NVDA settings panel.

Reading Commands

NVDA allows users to read page content continuously or navigate through text one line or word at a time.

• NVDA + ↓ – Start reading continuously from the current cursor position.
• Ctrl – Stop reading.
• NVDA + ↑ – Read the current line.
• Ctrl + ← / → – Move to the previous or next word.
• ↑ / ↓ – Move to the previous or next line.

These commands allow users to explore content and confirm that text is read correctly by the screen reader.

Navigation Shortcuts

NVDA provides quick navigation keys that allow users to jump directly to specific elements on a webpage.

• Tab – Navigate links and controls
• H – Jump to the next heading
• D – Jump to landmarks
• T – Jump to tables
• F – Jump to form controls
• B – Jump to buttons
• K – Jump to links
• L – Jump to lists

The NVDA + F7 command opens the Elements List, which allows users to view and navigate lists of links, headings, and landmarks.

Working with Data Tables

Press the T key to move to the next table on the page.

Once inside a table, NVDA provides commands for navigating between rows and columns.

• Ctrl + Alt + ↓ – Move to next row
• Ctrl + Alt + ↑ – Move to previous row
• Ctrl + Alt + → – Move to next column
• Ctrl + Alt + ← – Move to previous column

These commands are useful for navigating data grids and reviewing table content.

Forms

When a form control receives focus, NVDA reads the label and the type of control (for example, edit field, checkbox, or radio button).

• Tab / Shift + Tab – Move between form controls
• Space – Select or clear checkboxes
• Arrow Keys – Select radio button options
• Enter – Submit forms

These keyboard commands allow users to interact with form fields without requiring a mouse.