NVDA Screen Reader Quick Start Guide

Updated for modern web and testing practices. Based on NV Access official documentation and Deque guidelines.

Starting and Stopping NVDA

• Start NVDA: Ctrl + Alt + N (default if installed) or from Start Menu.
• Exit NVDA: NVDA key + Q, then Enter.

Basic

• Stop speech: Control
• Read continuously from here: NVDA key + Down Arrow
• Move to next item: Down Arrow
• Move to previous item: Up Arrow
• Activate link/button: Enter or Spacebar

Navigating by Page Elements

• Next Heading: H
• Next Heading of Level 1–6: Press 1–6
• Next Link: K
• Next Button: B
• Next Form Field: F
• Next List: L
• Next Landmark/Region: D

Working with Forms

• Enter Forms/Focus Mode: Automatic when entering form fields
• Manual Focus Mode: NVDA key + Spacebar (toggle)
• Next Checkbox: X
• Select/Deselect Checkbox: Spacebar
• Next Combo Box: C
• Open Combo Box: Alt + Down Arrow

Table

• Next Table: T
• Move Right/Left: Ctrl + Alt + Right/Left Arrow
• Move Down/Up: Ctrl + Alt + Down/Up Arrow
• Say Current Cell: NVDA key + C

Other Useful Commands

• List All Elements (Links, Headings, Form Fields): NVDA key + F7
• Toggle Browse/Focus Mode: NVDA key + Spacebar
• Toggle Speech Mode (mute NVDA quickly): NVDA key + S

Full List of Commands: NVDA Official User Guide