> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/nvaccess/nvda/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Braille Settings

> Configure braille displays, translation tables, and braille output in NVDA

## Overview

NVDA provides comprehensive support for braille displays, allowing you to read NVDA's output in braille and enter text using a braille keyboard. Braille settings control which display is used, how information is presented, and how braille input is handled.

**Access Braille Settings:** Press `NVDA+control+a` or navigate to Preferences > Settings > Braille in the NVDA menu.

## Braille Display Selection

### Choosing a Display

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Braille Settings">
    Press `NVDA+control+a` to open the Braille category directly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Display">
    In the Display dropdown, choose:

    * **Automatic** (recommended) - Detects connected displays automatically
    * Your specific display model
    * **No braille** - Disable braille output
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Connection (if needed)">
    Some displays require you to specify:

    * Connection port (USB, Bluetooth, Serial)
    * Baud rate (for serial connections)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click OK">
    NVDA will connect to the selected display immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  The **Automatic** setting uses background detection to find and connect to supported displays automatically. This is the most convenient option for most users.
</Tip>

### Supported Displays

NVDA supports a wide range of braille displays, including:

* **Freedom Scientific** (Focus, PAC Mate)
* **Handy Tech** (various models)
* **HIMS** (Braille Sense, Braille Edge)
* **HumanWare** (Brailliant, BrailleNote)
* **Papenmeier** (BRAILLEX series)
* **Baum/VisioBraille** (various models)
* **Eurobraille** (Esys, Esytime, b.book)
* **Alva** (BC series)
* **And many more...**

For a complete list with key assignments, see the [Supported Braille Displays section of the User Guide](https://www.nvaccess.org/files/nvda/documentation/userGuide.html#SupportedBrailleDisplays).

### Automatic Display Detection

<ParamField path="Automatic display detection" type="feature">
  When set to Automatic, NVDA continuously scans for supported braille displays in the background.

  **How it works:**

  * Checks USB connections
  * Scans Bluetooth devices
  * Automatically connects when a display is found
  * Reconnects if connection is lost

  **Excluded displays:**
  Some displays are excluded from automatic detection by default due to potential conflicts. You can configure which displays to exclude in Braille Settings under the Automatic section.
</ParamField>

<Note>
  Some displays may require driver installation before NVDA can detect them. Check your display manufacturer's instructions.
</Note>

## Translation Tables

Translation tables define how text is converted to braille and vice versa.

### Output Translation Table

<ParamField path="Translation table" type="dropdown" default="Unified English Braille Grade 1">
  The translation table used to convert text to braille for display.

  **Common options:**

  * **Unified English Braille (UEB) Grade 1** - Uncontracted braille
  * **Unified English Braille (UEB) Grade 2** - Contracted braille
  * **Computer Braille (8-dot)** - Shows all characters including control codes
  * Language-specific tables (e.g., French, German, Spanish)

  <Note>Grade 2 braille is more compact but requires knowledge of braille contractions.</Note>
</ParamField>

### Input Translation Table

<ParamField path="Input table" type="dropdown" default="Unified English Braille Grade 1">
  The translation table used to interpret braille input from your display's keyboard.

  **Typical options:**

  * **Unified English Braille (UEB) Grade 1** - Uncontracted
  * **Unified English Braille (UEB) Grade 2** - Contracted
  * **Computer Braille (8-dot)**
  * Language-specific input tables

  <Tip>The input table can be different from the output table. For example, you might read in Grade 2 but enter text in Grade 1.</Tip>
</ParamField>

### Braille Mode

<ParamField path="Braille mode" type="option" default="Follow cursors">
  Controls what information is displayed on the braille display.

  **Options:**

  **Follow cursors** - Shows text at the cursor position (most common)

  * Displays content at system focus or review cursor
  * Automatically switches context as you navigate

  **Speech output** - Shows what NVDA is currently speaking

  * Displays spoken messages on braille
  * Useful for following speech output in braille
</ParamField>

## Cursor Settings

### Cursor Display

<ParamField path="Show cursor" type="boolean" default="true">
  Shows a cursor on the braille display to indicate position.

  When enabled, the braille cursor indicates:

  * Focus position (system cursor)
  * Review cursor position
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Cursor blink" type="boolean" default="true">
  Makes the cursor blink to make it easier to locate.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Cursor blink rate" type="integer" default="500">
  **Range:** 200-2000 milliseconds

  Controls how fast the cursor blinks.

  * **200ms:** Very fast blink
  * **500ms:** Medium speed (default)
  * **2000ms:** Slow blink
</ParamField>

### Cursor Shape

<ParamField path="Cursor shape for focus" type="8-dot pattern" default="192">
  **Range:** 1-255

  Defines which dots are raised to show the focus cursor.

  Default value 192 = dots 7 and 8 (bottom two dots)

  <Note>This is a binary representation of an 8-dot braille cell where each bit represents a dot.</Note>
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Cursor shape for review" type="8-dot pattern" default="128">
  **Range:** 1-255

  Defines which dots are raised to show the review cursor.

  Default value 128 = dot 8 only
</ParamField>

## Display Behavior

### Tethering

<ParamField path="Tether to" type="option" default="Automatically">
  Controls what the braille display follows.

  **Options:**

  * **Automatically:** Follows focus by default, but follows review cursor when explicitly moved
  * **Focus:** Always follows the system focus/caret
  * **Review:** Always follows the review cursor

  **Keyboard shortcut:** `NVDA+control+t` (cycles through options)
</ParamField>

### Text Presentation

<ParamField path="Read by paragraph" type="boolean" default="false">
  When enabled, braille displays text by paragraphs instead of by lines.

  **Benefits:**

  * More natural reading flow
  * Better context when reading

  **Drawback:**

  * May require more panning for long paragraphs
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Word wrap" type="boolean" default="true">
  Prevents words from being split across the edge of the display.

  When enabled:

  * Words stay together
  * May leave empty cells at line end

  When disabled:

  * Uses full display width
  * Words may be split
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Expand at cursor" type="boolean" default="true">
  When reading contracted braille (Grade 2), automatically expands the word at the cursor to uncontracted braille.

  **Example:** Shows full spelling at cursor position even when rest of display uses contractions.
</ParamField>

### Message Display

<ParamField path="Show messages" type="option" default="Use timeout">
  Controls how messages appear on the braille display.

  **Options:**

  * **Disabled:** Don't show messages on braille
  * **Use timeout:** Show messages temporarily, then restore previous content
  * **Show indefinitely:** Messages remain until dismissed
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Message timeout" type="integer" default="4">
  **Range:** 1-20 seconds

  How long messages remain visible when "Use timeout" is selected.
</ParamField>

### Context Information

<ParamField path="Focus context presentation" type="option" default="Changed context">
  Controls how context information is displayed when focus changes.

  **Options:**

  **Changed context** - Only shows context that has changed

  * Most efficient use of display space
  * Only shows new information

  **Fill display** - Shows as much context as possible

  * More complete context
  * May obscure focus content

  **Scroll display** - Scrolls context onto display as needed

  * Keeps focus item visible
  * Shows context progressively
</ParamField>

### Selection Display

<ParamField path="Show selection" type="feature flag" default="enabled">
  When enabled, selected text is indicated using dots 7 and 8.

  **Useful for:**

  * Knowing what text is selected
  * Editing operations
  * Visual feedback in braille
</ParamField>

## Advanced Braille Settings

### Unicode Normalization

<ParamField path="Unicode normalization" type="feature flag" default="disabled">
  Normalizes Unicode characters before converting to braille.

  May improve braille rendering for:

  * Accented characters
  * Special symbols
  * Mathematical notation
</ParamField>

### Paragraph Markers

<ParamField path="Paragraph start marker" type="option" default="None">
  Marks the beginning of paragraphs in braille.

  **Options:**

  * **None:** No marker
  * **Space:** Single space before paragraphs
  * **Pilcrow (¶):** Paragraph symbol
</ParamField>

### Routing Behavior

<ParamField path="Review routing moves system caret" type="feature flag" default="Never">
  Controls whether routing to a position while in review mode moves the system caret.

  **Options:**

  * **Never:** Routing only moves review cursor
  * **Always:** Routing also moves system caret
  * **When in native focus mode:** Context-dependent
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Speak on routing" type="boolean" default="false">
  When enabled, NVDA speaks the character or word you route to.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Speak on navigating by unit" type="boolean" default="false">
  When enabled, NVDA speaks content when navigating by character, word, or line using braille display keys.
</ParamField>

### Speech Integration

<ParamField path="Interrupt speech while scrolling" type="feature flag" default="enabled">
  When enabled, scrolling the braille display interrupts speech.

  **Benefits:**

  * Reduces audio clutter
  * Lets you read silently in braille

  **When disabled:**

  * Speech continues while scrolling
  * Useful for simultaneous audio and braille feedback
</ParamField>

### Live Regions

<ParamField path="Report live regions" type="feature flag" default="enabled">
  When enabled, NVDA shows ARIA live region updates in braille.

  **Examples of live regions:**

  * Chat messages
  * Stock tickers
  * Social media notifications
  * Dynamic web content
</ParamField>

### Font Formatting

<ParamField path="Font formatting display" type="feature flag" default="LibLouis">
  Controls how font formatting is shown in braille.

  **Options:**

  * **LibLouis:** Uses LibLouis-based formatting indicators
  * **Text attributes:** Shows text formatting descriptions
  * **Off:** No formatting indicators
</ParamField>

## Braille Input

Many braille displays have braille keyboards for text entry.

### Input Methods

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Uncontracted Braille" icon="keyboard">
    Text is entered one character at a time as you type.

    **Benefits:**

    * Simple and predictable
    * No need to know contractions
    * Immediate feedback

    **Use:** General text entry, learning braille
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Contracted Braille" icon="compress">
    Text is buffered until you press space or enter, then translated.

    **Benefits:**

    * Faster input for experienced users
    * More efficient

    **Requirement:** Must know braille contractions

    **Use:** Fast note-taking, experienced braille users
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Computer Braille" icon="laptop-code">
    Eight-dot braille representing ASCII characters.

    **Benefits:**

    * Can enter any character
    * Useful for programming
    * Shows control characters

    **Use:** Programming, technical work
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Standard Braille Commands

<Note>
  These are standard braille input commands. Your specific display may have additional keys.
</Note>

* **Dot 7:** Backspace (erases last cell/character)
* **Dot 8:** Enter (submit braille input)
* **Dot 7 + Dot 8:** Translate without adding space or pressing enter

## Braille Viewer

The Braille Viewer shows braille output on screen, useful for:

* Sighted people learning braille
* Demonstrations and training
* Debugging braille output
* Working without a physical display

### Enabling Braille Viewer

**From menu:** NVDA menu > Tools > Braille Viewer

**From Braille Viewer settings:**

<ParamField path="Show Braille Viewer at startup" type="boolean" default="false">
  When enabled, Braille Viewer opens automatically when NVDA starts.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Should hover route to cell" type="boolean" default="false">
  When enabled, hovering over a braille cell with the mouse will route to that position.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Seconds of hover to activate" type="float" default="1.0">
  **Range:** 0.0+

  How long to hover before routing activates.
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Default cell count" type="integer" default="40">
  **Range:** 20-160

  Number of braille cells to display in the Braille Viewer window.
</ParamField>

## Troubleshooting Braille

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Display not detected" icon="question-circle">
    **Check:**

    1. Display is powered on and connected
    2. USB/Bluetooth connection is active (check Windows device manager)
    3. Display drivers are installed (if required)
    4. Display is not in use by another screen reader
    5. Try "Automatic" in display selection
    6. Try manually selecting your specific display model

    **For Bluetooth:**

    * Pair the display in Windows Bluetooth settings first
    * Some displays require a specific pairing mode
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Braille output is incorrect" icon="exclamation-triangle">
    **Check:**

    1. Correct translation table is selected
    2. Language settings match your content
    3. Unicode normalization setting (try toggling)
    4. Display firmware is up to date
    5. Try Computer Braille to see raw output

    **For Grade 2 issues:**

    * Verify you're using the correct grade (1 vs 2)
    * Check if "Expand at cursor" helps
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cursor not visible" icon="eye-slash">
    **Check:**

    1. "Show cursor" is enabled
    2. "Cursor blink" is enabled
    3. Cursor shape is properly configured (non-zero value)
    4. Display isn't in a special mode
    5. Try changing cursor shape to 255 (all dots)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Input not working" icon="keyboard">
    **Check:**

    1. Input table is configured
    2. Display is in braille keyboard mode (not QWERTY mode)
    3. Display keyboard is enabled in display settings
    4. Try computer braille input table

    **Note:** Some displays can toggle between braille and QWERTY keyboard modes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Display keeps disconnecting" icon="plug">
    **Possible causes:**

    1. USB power management (disable in device properties)
    2. Bluetooth interference or range issues
    3. Faulty cable
    4. Low battery on wireless displays
    5. USB hub problems (try direct connection)

    **Solution:** Try using "Automatic" display detection for auto-reconnection.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Braille-Specific Keyboard Commands

### Global Braille Commands

| Action                         | Command           |
| ------------------------------ | ----------------- |
| Scroll braille display back    | `NVDA+leftArrow`  |
| Scroll braille display forward | `NVDA+rightArrow` |
| Tether braille to              | `NVDA+control+t`  |
| Braille settings               | `NVDA+control+a`  |

<Note>
  Display-specific commands vary by manufacturer. Consult your display's documentation for routing keys, scrolling buttons, and other hardware controls.
</Note>

## Related Topics

* [NVDA Settings](/configuration/settings) - General configuration
* [Speech Settings](/configuration/speech-settings) - Audio output configuration
* [Braille Input](/user-guide/braille-input) - Detailed braille keyboard usage
* [Supported Braille Displays](/hardware/braille-displays) - Complete list with key assignments