Quick Start Guide

Get started with NVDA’s essential commands and features

Overview

This quick start guide will help you begin using NVDA effectively. You’ll learn the most commonly used keystrokes and essential features to navigate Windows and applications.

For comprehensive training, the “Basic Training for NVDA” module is available from the NV Access Shop. It covers everything from getting started to browsing the web and using object navigation.

The NVDA Modifier Key

Most NVDA-specific keyboard commands use the NVDA modifier key in conjunction with other keys. Understanding this key is essential for using NVDA.

Insert

Desktop and most laptops

Numpad Insert

Desktop with numpad (Num Lock off)

Caps Lock

Optional alternative (can be enabled in settings)

By default, both the Insert and Numpad Insert keys are set as NVDA modifier keys. Throughout this guide, we’ll refer to this as NVDA+[key].

Using the Modifier Key

If you want to use one of these keys for its normal function (e.g., turning Caps Lock on when it’s set as an NVDA modifier), press the key twice in quick succession.

Keyboard Layouts

NVDA supports two keyboard layouts:

Desktop Layout

Makes heavy use of the numpad (with Num Lock off). Best for users with a full-size keyboard.

Laptop Layout

Designed for laptops without a numpad. Remaps numpad functions to other key combinations.

You can switch between layouts in the Keyboard category of NVDA Settings (found under Preferences in the NVDA menu).

Essential Commands

Here are the most frequently used NVDA commands:

Starting and Stopping NVDA

Action	Desktop Key	Laptop Key	Description
Start NVDA	Ctrl+Alt+N	Ctrl+Alt+N	Starts or restarts NVDA from the desktop
Exit NVDA	NVDA+Q, then Enter	NVDA+Q, then Enter	Exits NVDA completely
Pause speech	Shift	Shift	Pauses speech; press again to continue
Stop speech	Ctrl	Ctrl	Instantly stops speaking

The NVDA Menu

The NVDA menu provides access to settings, tools, help, and more.

1. Open the NVDA Menu

   Press NVDA+N on the keyboard

2. Navigate the Menu

   Use arrow keys to navigate menu items

3. Activate an Item

   Press Enter to activate the selected menu item

Alternative methods:

• Perform a 2-finger double-tap on a touchscreen
• Access the system tray with Windows+B, arrow down to the NVDA icon, and press Enter

Input Help Mode

Input Help is an excellent way to learn NVDA commands. When enabled, NVDA will announce any key you press and describe its function without actually executing the command.

Turn On Input Help

Press NVDA+1

Turn Off Input Help

Press NVDA+1 again

While in input help mode, commands will not execute - you’re just learning what they do!

Reading Text

NVDA provides several commands for reading text at different levels:

Basic Reading Commands

Action	Desktop Key	Laptop Key	Description
Say all	NVDA+Down Arrow	NVDA+A	Reads from current position to the end
Read current line	NVDA+Up Arrow	NVDA+L	Reads the current line (press twice to spell, three times for phonetic spelling)
Read selection	NVDA+Shift+Up Arrow	NVDA+Shift+S	Reads any selected text
Read clipboard	NVDA+C	NVDA+C	Reads text on the clipboard

Pressing most reading commands twice will spell the information. Pressing three times will spell it using character descriptions (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc.).

Reporting Location and Information

These commands help you understand where you are and what’s on screen:

Action	Desktop Key	Laptop Key	Description
Window title	NVDA+T	NVDA+T	Reports the title of the active window
Report focus	NVDA+Tab	NVDA+Tab	Reports the control that has focus
Read window	NVDA+B	NVDA+B	Reads the entire current window
Read status bar	NVDA+End	NVDA+Shift+End	Reports the status bar if found
Read time	NVDA+F12	NVDA+F12	Once for time, twice for date
Report formatting	NVDA+F	NVDA+F	Reports text formatting at cursor
Report link destination	NVDA+K	NVDA+K	Speaks the URL of the link at cursor

Configuring Speech Output

Control what NVDA announces as you type and interact:

Action	Key	Description
Speak typed characters	NVDA+2	Toggles character echo on/off
Speak typed words	NVDA+3	Toggles word echo on/off
Speak command keys	NVDA+4	Toggles announcement of non-character keys
Enable mouse tracking	NVDA+M	Announces text under mouse pointer

The Synth Settings Ring

The synth settings ring allows quick adjustment of speech settings from anywhere:

Action	Desktop Key	Laptop Key	Description
Next setting	NVDA+Ctrl+Right Arrow	NVDA+Shift+Ctrl+Right Arrow	Moves to next speech setting
Previous setting	NVDA+Ctrl+Left Arrow	NVDA+Shift+Ctrl+Left Arrow	Moves to previous speech setting
Increase setting	NVDA+Ctrl+Up Arrow	NVDA+Shift+Ctrl+Up Arrow	Increases current setting (rate, volume, etc.)
Decrease setting	NVDA+Ctrl+Down Arrow	NVDA+Shift+Ctrl+Down Arrow	Decreases current setting

Settings you can adjust: speech rate, voice selection, volume, pitch, and more.

Web Navigation

When browsing web pages, NVDA provides single-letter navigation for quick movement:

Headings

Press H to move to next heading

Links

Press K to move to next link

Form Fields

Press F to move to next form field

Tables

Press T to move to next table

Lists

Press L to move to next list

Landmarks

Press D to move to next landmark

Press Shift plus any of these letters to move to the previous element of that type. For example, Shift+H moves to the previous heading.

Heading Levels

Press 1 through 9 to jump to headings at specific levels:

1 = Heading level 1
2 = Heading level 2
3 = Heading level 3
... and so on

Elements List

The Elements List provides an overview of links, headings, and other elements on a page:

1. Open Elements List

   Press NVDA+F7

2. Switch Element Types

   Use radio buttons to switch between links, headings, form fields, buttons, or landmarks

3. Filter the List

   Type in the search field to filter elements

4. Navigate to Element

   Select an element and press Enter to jump to it on the page

Touch Gestures (Touchscreen Devices)

If you’re running NVDA on a device with a touchscreen, you can control NVDA with touch:

Touch interaction support must be enabled. Toggle it with NVDA+Ctrl+Alt+T.

Basic Touch Gestures

Gesture	Action
Tap	Announce control or text at touch point
Double-tap	Activate the control
Flick left/right/up/down	Navigate in different directions
3-finger tap	Toggle between text mode and object mode

Exploring the Screen

1. Place Finger on Screen

   Touch anywhere on the screen

2. Move Around

   Keep your finger on the screen and move it to explore controls and text

3. Lift to Stop

   Lift your finger when you find what you’re looking for

Speech Modes

NVDA provides different speech modes for various situations:

Talk (Default)

NVDA speaks normally in reaction to screen changes and actions

On-demand

NVDA only speaks when you use reporting commands

Off

NVDA doesn’t speak but still reacts to commands

Beeps

NVDA replaces speech with short beeps

Cycle through speech modes: Press NVDA+S

Beeps mode is useful when verbose output is scrolling (like in a terminal) but you only care that output is continuing. On-demand mode is useful when you don’t need constant feedback.

Object Navigation

Object navigation lets you explore the current application or Operating System without moving the focus or caret:

Action	Desktop Key	Laptop Key	Description
Report current object	NVDA+Numpad 5	NVDA+Shift+O	Reports the current navigator object
Move to containing object	NVDA+Numpad 8	NVDA+Shift+Up Arrow	Moves to parent object
Move to previous object	NVDA+Numpad 4	NVDA+Shift+Left Arrow	Moves to previous object
Move to next object	NVDA+Numpad 6	NVDA+Shift+Right Arrow	Moves to next object
Move to first contained object	NVDA+Numpad 2	NVDA+Shift+Down Arrow	Moves into first child object
Move to focus object	NVDA+Numpad Minus	NVDA+Backspace	Returns to focused object
Activate object	NVDA+Numpad Enter	NVDA+Enter	Activates current object

Numpad keys require Num Lock to be turned off to work properly.

Customizing Settings

Most NVDA functions can be customized via NVDA Settings:

1. Open NVDA Menu

   Press NVDA+N

2. Access Preferences

   Navigate to Preferences, then Settings

3. Choose Category

   Select from categories like Speech, Braille, Keyboard, Mouse, etc.

4. Adjust Settings

   Make your changes and press Enter to apply

Quick access to settings:

• General settings: NVDA+Ctrl+G
• Synthesizer settings: NVDA+Ctrl+S
• Voice settings: NVDA+Ctrl+V

Add-ons

Add-ons extend NVDA’s functionality. Access them through the Add-on Store:

1. Open Add-on Store

   Press NVDA+N, then T for Tools, then A for Add-on Store

2. Browse Available Add-ons

   Use arrow keys or press the first letter of an add-on name to navigate

3. Read Add-on Details

   Press Tab to read the description and details

4. Install an Add-on

   Press Enter on the add-on, then select “Install” from the actions menu

5. Restart NVDA

   After installing add-ons, restart NVDA for them to take effect

Add-ons are developed by the community and are unaffiliated with NV Access. Always verify the developer before installing.

Getting Help

NVDA provides several resources for learning and support:

User Guide

Press NVDA+N, then H for Help to access the full user guide

Commands Quick Reference

Available from the Help menu - lists all keyboard commands

Community Support

Email user groups provide community help and answers

Training Materials

Comprehensive training modules available from the NV Access Shop

NV Access Resources

• Basic Training for NVDA: Available in electronic text, audio, and Braille formats
• Telephone Support: Available in blocks or as part of the NVDA Productivity Bundle
• NVDA Certified Experts: Professional support from certified users

The In-Process blog provides regular updates about NVDA development and features.

Tips for Success

Use Input Help

Turn on Input Help (NVDA+1) when learning new commands

Practice Navigation

Spend time practicing object navigation and web navigation commands

Adjust Speech Rate

Find a comfortable speech rate using the synth settings ring

Join the Community

Connect with other NVDA users for tips and support

Next Steps

Now that you understand the basics, explore:

• Browse Mode: Learn advanced web navigation techniques
• Configuration Profiles: Create different settings for different tasks
• Braille Support: If you use a braille display, configure braille settings
• Add-ons: Discover add-ons that enhance NVDA for your specific needs

Full User Guide

Access the complete NVDA User Guide for in-depth information on all features