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Re: MS Word Text Box Work Around

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From: Karen McCall
Date: Mar 17, 2023 9:55AM

Text boxes are objects that float above the text layer of the document. JAWS has a keyboard command to list objects and text boxes are included in the list. It is Ctrl + Shift +letter O. It will list graphics and other objects. Not sure of the similar keyboard command for NVDA.

However, because text boxes float above the text layer of the document, those of us using adaptive technology can't rely on any association with surrounding content. It is like reading two different "documents" the text layer and the text boxes.

I teach people to use paragraph styles instead of text boxes because you can create the same effects with a paragraph style (borders, fill, centering and other effects) and have the content be more accessible.

If you can create a paragraph style and remove the text from the text box and use the paragraph style, it would be more accessible.

If you want to have the effect of the content being side by side, use Columns in Word to create the effect.

If you want to e-mail me off list for assistance, please do.

Cheers, Karen