> ## 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.

# Navigation

> Master NVDA's powerful navigation features including object navigation, browse mode, and text review

NVDA provides multiple navigation methods to efficiently explore applications, documents, and the Windows interface.

## Navigation Methods Overview

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="System Focus" icon="crosshairs">
    Standard keyboard navigation using Tab, Arrow keys, and shortcuts
  </Card>

  <Card title="Object Navigation" icon="sitemap">
    Navigate the hierarchical structure of interface elements
  </Card>

  <Card title="Text Review" icon="magnifying-glass">
    Review text character by character, word by word, or line by line
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## System Focus Navigation

The system focus is the interface element that receives keyboard input. NVDA automatically announces focused elements as you navigate.

### Basic Focus Navigation

| Action             | Keystroke   | Description                          |
| ------------------ | ----------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Next control       | `Tab`       | Move to the next interactive control |
| Previous control   | `Shift+Tab` | Move to the previous control         |
| Menu access        | `Alt`       | Access application menu bar          |
| Menu navigation    | Arrow keys  | Navigate menu items                  |
| Application switch | `Alt+Tab`   | Switch between running applications  |

### Reporting Focus Information

<Accordion title="Report Current Focus">
  **Keystroke:** `NVDA+Tab`

  Reports the current control with focus including:

  * Control name
  * Control type (button, edit field, checkbox, etc.)
  * Current value or state
  * Position information

  Press twice to spell the information.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Report Shortcut Key">
  **Desktop:** `Shift+Numpad 2`\
  **Laptop:** `NVDA+Control+Shift+Period`

  Reports the shortcut (accelerator) key for the focused control, if available.
</Accordion>

## Object Navigation

Object navigation allows you to explore interface elements hierarchically, accessing elements that may not be keyboard accessible.

### Understanding Objects

Applications consist of objects organized in a hierarchy:

* **Containing objects:** Parent elements (windows, toolbars, lists)
* **Contained objects:** Child elements (buttons, list items)
* **Sibling objects:** Elements at the same level

### Object Navigation Commands

#### Desktop Layout (Numpad)

<Note>
  Requires Num Lock to be OFF.
</Note>

| Command                        | Key            | Description                    |
| ------------------------------ | -------------- | ------------------------------ |
| Report current object          | `Numpad 5`     | Announces the navigator object |
| Move to containing object      | `Numpad 8`     | Move to parent object          |
| Move to first contained object | `Numpad 2`     | Move to first child object     |
| Move to previous object        | `Numpad 4`     | Move to previous sibling       |
| Move to next object            | `Numpad 6`     | Move to next sibling           |
| Move to focus object           | `Numpad Minus` | Jump to the focused object     |
| Activate object                | `Numpad Enter` | Click or activate the object   |

#### Laptop Layout

| Command                        | Keys               | Description                    |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------ | ------------------------------ |
| Report current object          | `NVDA+Shift+O`     | Announces the navigator object |
| Move to containing object      | `NVDA+Shift+Up`    | Move to parent object          |
| Move to first contained object | `NVDA+Shift+Down`  | Move to first child object     |
| Move to previous object        | `NVDA+Shift+Left`  | Move to previous sibling       |
| Move to next object            | `NVDA+Shift+Right` | Move to next sibling           |
| Move to focus object           | `NVDA+Backspace`   | Jump to the focused object     |
| Activate object                | `NVDA+Enter`       | Click or activate the object   |

### Flattened View Navigation

For linear navigation through all objects:

| Command                    | Desktop    | Laptop         |
| -------------------------- | ---------- | -------------- |
| Next in flattened view     | `Numpad 9` | `NVDA+Shift+]` |
| Previous in flattened view | `Numpad 3` | `NVDA+Shift+[` |

<Tip>
  Flattened view navigation automatically enters containers and navigates through all objects sequentially, making it easier to explore unfamiliar interfaces.
</Tip>

## Text Review

Text review allows you to read screen content by character, word, or line without moving the system cursor.

### Review Commands Grid (Desktop Layout)

Think of the numpad as a 3x3 grid:

|               | Previous   | Current    | Next       |
| ------------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- |
| **Line**      | `Numpad 7` | `Numpad 8` | `Numpad 9` |
| **Word**      | `Numpad 4` | `Numpad 5` | `Numpad 6` |
| **Character** | `Numpad 1` | `Numpad 2` | `Numpad 3` |

**Special commands:**

* `Shift+Numpad 7`: Move to top line
* `Shift+Numpad 9`: Move to bottom line
* `Shift+Numpad 1`: Move to start of line
* `Shift+Numpad 3`: Move to end of line
* `Numpad Plus`: Say all from current position

### Laptop Layout Text Review

| Command             | Keys                  | Description                |
| ------------------- | --------------------- | -------------------------- |
| Previous line       | `NVDA+Up`             | Move up one line           |
| Current line        | `NVDA+Shift+Period`   | Read current line          |
| Next line           | `NVDA+Down`           | Move down one line         |
| Previous word       | `NVDA+Control+Left`   | Move to previous word      |
| Current word        | `NVDA+Control+Period` | Read current word          |
| Next word           | `NVDA+Control+Right`  | Move to next word          |
| Previous character  | `NVDA+Left`           | Move to previous character |
| Current character   | `NVDA+Period`         | Read current character     |
| Next character      | `NVDA+Right`          | Move to next character     |
| Say all with review | `NVDA+Shift+A`        | Read from current position |

### Copy from Review Cursor

<Steps>
  <Step title="Set Start Marker">
    Navigate to the start position and press `NVDA+F9`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set End Marker">
    Navigate to the end position and press `NVDA+F10` once. Text is selected.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy to Clipboard">
    Press `NVDA+F10` again to copy the selected text to the clipboard
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Review Modes

NVDA offers three review modes for different contexts:

### Object Review

Reviews content within the current navigator object only.

**Best for:**

* Reading text in specific controls
* Examining individual interface elements
* Reading list item content

### Document Review

Reviews the entire document or web page.

**Best for:**

* Reading web pages
* Reviewing complete documents
* Navigating complex content

<Note>
  NVDA automatically switches to document review when browsing web pages.
</Note>

### Screen Review

Reviews text as it appears visually on screen.

**Best for:**

* Reading visually rendered text
* Accessing legacy applications
* Reading text that other methods miss

<Warning>
  Screen review may not work with modern applications using newer graphics technologies.
</Warning>

### Switching Review Modes

| Command              | Desktop         | Laptop           |
| -------------------- | --------------- | ---------------- |
| Next review mode     | `NVDA+Numpad 7` | `NVDA+Page Up`   |
| Previous review mode | `NVDA+Numpad 1` | `NVDA+Page Down` |

## Browse Mode

Browse mode presents complex documents as flat, navigable text. It's used for:

* Web pages (Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Internet Explorer)
* Email messages (Outlook, Thunderbird)
* PDF documents (Adobe Reader, Foxit Reader)
* Microsoft Word documents (optional)
* Kindle books

### Browse vs Focus Mode

<Accordion title="Browse Mode">
  **Purpose:** Navigate and read content efficiently

  **Features:**

  * Cursor keys move through text like a document
  * Single letter navigation for quick jumping
  * All text review commands available
  * Virtual representation optimized for reading

  **Indicator:** NVDA announces "Browse mode"
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Focus Mode">
  **Purpose:** Interact with form controls and editable fields

  **Features:**

  * Keys pass directly to the application
  * Type in edit fields
  * Use form controls normally
  * Select items from combo boxes

  **Indicator:** NVDA announces "Focus mode" with a rising tone
</Accordion>

### Mode Switching

| Action           | Keystroke    | Description                                   |
| ---------------- | ------------ | --------------------------------------------- |
| Toggle modes     | `NVDA+Space` | Manually switch between browse and focus mode |
| Exit focus mode  | `Escape`     | Return to browse mode                         |
| Refresh document | `NVDA+F5`    | Reload browse mode document                   |

<Info>
  NVDA automatically switches to focus mode when you tab to editable controls, and back to browse mode for non-editable content.
</Info>

### Single Letter Navigation

Quickly jump to elements in browse mode:

| Key   | Element        | Example Use                     |
| ----- | -------------- | ------------------------------- |
| `H`   | Heading        | Navigate page structure         |
| `1-6` | Heading levels | Jump to specific heading levels |
| `K`   | Link           | Find clickable links            |
| `F`   | Form field     | Locate edit boxes, buttons      |
| `T`   | Table          | Navigate to data tables         |
| `L`   | List           | Find bulleted or numbered lists |
| `D`   | Landmark       | Jump to ARIA landmarks          |
| `E`   | Edit field     | Locate text input fields        |
| `B`   | Button         | Find clickable buttons          |
| `X`   | Checkbox       | Locate checkboxes               |
| `C`   | Combo box      | Find dropdown menus             |
| `R`   | Radio button   | Locate radio buttons            |
| `G`   | Graphic        | Navigate to images              |

<Tip>
  Add `Shift` to any single letter key to navigate backwards (e.g., `Shift+H` for previous heading).
</Tip>

### Elements List

Access a searchable list of page elements:

**Open Elements List:** `NVDA+F7`

**Available lists:**

* Links
* Headings
* Form fields
* Buttons
* Landmarks

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open List">
    Press `NVDA+F7` to open the elements list
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Type">
    Use radio buttons to select element type (links, headings, etc.)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Filter (Optional)">
    Type in the search field to filter the list
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate">
    Select an item and press Enter to jump to it, or Activate to click it
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Table Navigation

Special commands for navigating data tables:

| Command            | Desktop                  | Laptop                   | Description                     |
| ------------------ | ------------------------ | ------------------------ | ------------------------------- |
| Next column        | `Control+Alt+Right`      | `Control+Alt+Right`      | Move right in same row          |
| Previous column    | `Control+Alt+Left`       | `Control+Alt+Left`       | Move left in same row           |
| Next row           | `Control+Alt+Down`       | `Control+Alt+Down`       | Move down in same column        |
| Previous row       | `Control+Alt+Up`         | `Control+Alt+Up`         | Move up in same column          |
| First column       | `Control+Alt+Home`       | `Control+Alt+Home`       | Jump to first column            |
| Last column        | `Control+Alt+End`        | `Control+Alt+End`        | Jump to last column             |
| First row          | `Control+Alt+Page Up`    | `Control+Alt+Page Up`    | Jump to first row               |
| Last row           | `Control+Alt+Page Down`  | `Control+Alt+Page Down`  | Jump to last row                |
| Say all in column  | `NVDA+Control+Alt+Down`  | `NVDA+Control+Alt+Down`  | Read column downward            |
| Say all in row     | `NVDA+Control+Alt+Right` | `NVDA+Control+Alt+Right` | Read row rightward              |
| Read entire column | `NVDA+Control+Alt+Up`    | `NVDA+Control+Alt+Up`    | Read full column without moving |
| Read entire row    | `NVDA+Control+Alt+Left`  | `NVDA+Control+Alt+Left`  | Read full row without moving    |

## Mouse Navigation

NVDA can report text under the mouse pointer and provide audio coordinates.

### Mouse Tracking

**Enable/Disable:** `NVDA+M`

When enabled, NVDA announces:

* Text under the mouse pointer
* Object type (optional, enable in settings)
* Audio coordinates (optional, enable in settings)

### Mouse Emulation

| Action                     | Desktop                 | Laptop           | Description                         |
| -------------------------- | ----------------------- | ---------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| Left click                 | `Numpad Divide`         | `NVDA+[`         | Click left button                   |
| Left lock                  | `Shift+Numpad Divide`   | `NVDA+Control+[` | Lock left button for dragging       |
| Right click                | `Numpad Multiply`       | `NVDA+]`         | Open context menu                   |
| Right lock                 | `Shift+Numpad Multiply` | `NVDA+Control+]` | Lock right button                   |
| Move to navigator object   | `NVDA+Numpad Divide`    | `NVDA+Shift+M`   | Move mouse to object                |
| Navigate to mouse position | `NVDA+Numpad Multiply`  | `NVDA+Shift+N`   | Set navigator to object under mouse |

## Touch Gestures

On touchscreen devices, NVDA supports touch navigation:

### Basic Touch Gestures

| Gesture             | Action                     |
| ------------------- | -------------------------- |
| Single tap          | Announce item under finger |
| Double tap          | Activate item              |
| Flick right         | Next item                  |
| Flick left          | Previous item              |
| Flick down          | Next line (text mode)      |
| Flick up            | Previous line (text mode)  |
| 2-finger tap        | Stop speech                |
| 2-finger double tap | Open NVDA menu             |
| 3-finger tap        | Toggle touch modes         |

### Touch Modes

<Accordion title="Text Mode">
  Navigate and read text:

  * Flick up/down: Previous/next line
  * Flick left/right: Previous/next character
  * 2-finger flick left/right: Previous/next word
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Object Mode">
  Navigate objects:

  * Flick up: Containing object
  * Flick down: First contained object
  * Flick left/right: Previous/next object in flattened view
</Accordion>

**Toggle touch support:** `NVDA+Control+Alt+T`

## Search Functions

Find text in documents and web pages:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Find Dialog">
    Press `NVDA+Control+F`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Search Text">
    Type the text you want to find
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find Next">
    Press `NVDA+F3` to find the next occurrence
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find Previous">
    Press `NVDA+Shift+F3` to find the previous occurrence
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Check "Case sensitive" to distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letters in searches.
</Tip>

## Tips for Efficient Navigation

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Learn Single Letters" icon="keyboard">
    Master single letter navigation for fastest web browsing
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use Elements List" icon="list">
    Press `NVDA+F7` to quickly find links and headings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Try Review Modes" icon="exchange">
    Experiment with different review modes for stubborn content
  </Card>

  <Card title="Combine Techniques" icon="puzzle-piece">
    Use object navigation to reach areas, then text review to read
  </Card>
</CardGroup>