How to Formatting a Document in Word Using JAWS:

Formatting a Document in Word Using JAWS

Introduction

Formatting a document with JAWS in Microsoft Word when you are totally blind can be challenging, but there are several ways to apply settings to common attributes like font, margins, paragraphs, line spacing and more.

Document formatting is essential for students and professionals who are required to produce documents that are visually appealing and easy to read. Knowing how to apply those formatting attributes then verify them using JAWS will enable you to create high quality documents that meet both scholastic and professional standards.

Objectives

In this article you’ll learn:

* How to open and navigate the Font dialog box

* How to set and verify margins

* How to open and navigate the Paragraph dialog box

* Simple line spacing commands

* A JAWS command for checking font, line spacing and other formatting attributes

Accessing the Font Dialog Box

You can access the Font dialog box using the keyboard command CTRL+SHIFT+F. Once pressed, you are placed directly in the box that lists the various fonts. Use your up and down arrow keys to navigate through this box or press a letter to move to fonts that begin with that letter. For example, if you want to set the font to Times New Roman, press T to move to fonts that begin with T. Then, press DOWN ARROW until you reach Times New Roman.

You can access the Font Size area of the Font dialog box directly from your document by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+P, then use your arrow keys to choose the desired size. Press ENTER to make the selection and return to your document.

TAB through the Font dialog box to explore its options and set other font attributes such as style, color, etc. Use your arrow keys to make selections in the respective boxes, then press ENTER or choose the Okay button to execute the changes.

Setting Line Spacing

You can easily set line spacing in a document using keyboard commands. First, press CTRL+A to select your entire document, then press CTRL together with the number that represents the desired line spacing. For example, CTRL+1 will single space the document, CTRL+2 will double space, etc. Note that you must use the Number Row for this task rather than the Numpad.

Check Document Formatting Using JAWS

You can verify formatting attributes such as: font, color, size, style, line spacing and more using the JAWS command INSERT+F. Press this key combination once to hear the information spoken or hold down INSERT and press F

 twice quickly to activate the JAWS Virtual Viewer to read it with your arrow keys. Press ESC to close the Virtual Viewer and return to your document.