Category: Geeks r Us
Hi all
So I have a new Windows 7 laptop with JAWS 15 and Office 2013. I haven't used Outlook in several years and have some questions. I was able to set it up and link it to my gmail account and think I am fairly caught up on reading messages. Here are my questions:
How can I tell how many messages are in my in box?
how can I add contacts and browse through the address book?
How can I visit my other folders such as where deleted and sent messages are?
I've done some searching, but the only tips I have found for setting up and using Outlook 2013 are tips for sighted people. A clear list of instructions designed for screen reader users would be ideal. I found one blog where someone named Brian gave some tips for using Outlook 2010, but they didn't help. Not sure if this was because 2010 and 2013 are so different or because I'm just not used to this ribbon system as opposed to drop down menus.
Thanks for any help.
I just thought of another question. How can I get the bcc line to show after the to and cc lines? There are times when I want to send the same message but want blind copies rather than just carbon copies.
Gonna lay it out for you. Give me a bit. I've got to write it so it is making sense.
Basicly it works just like all the other programs you have used with the acception of adding contacts.
I like it.
There is a list of keyboard shortcuts as well. I'll find that and post it. It is a fixer.
Becky, because I don’t know how you want to use this program, I’m going to give you some information on how to get to the help section that is listed in Jaws.
Next, I’ll tell you what controls I use personally.
To learn how to control Outlook with the information provided by FS.
Open Outlook, and hold down the Jaws key and press F1 twice quickly.
You have a laptop, so I’m not sure if you have a full keyboard, or not.
On a full keyboard, the Jaws key is the 0 on the number keypad.
On a laptop keyboard, the Jaws key is Caps lock key, provided, your Jaws is set to laptop.
When you press the F1 twice quickly, you open the popular applications menu, or help section in Jaws.
Because you have Outlook open, you land on outlook, but notice, if you arrow up and down, you’ll find all the rest of the popular applications information.
Move the cursor to Outlook, and press F6. You now will see links to the information.
When finished reading, close it just like anything elseAlt F4.
This control works on any other application to get to help in Jaws.
Personal controls.
To show the list of folders I shift tab up and arrow down. When I get to the one I want to open, I tab down or hit enter.
Control F 1 is my message list F2 calendar F3 contacts.
Pressing the alt key to open the menu and arrows up, down left right, takes me to add contacts and such things.
Control D deletes a message, or just the delete key.
New message, control, shift, and M. Now I can address it by tab or shift tab and write my message.
Alt S sends it.
I have the Office sounds installed, so I get audio input too. Like when I send a message it goes swish! Smile.
You have used Outlook express, so many of these controls are still valid.
I hope this helps you.
I have not covered it all, but this will get you started and learning.
Remember, look around. You know how to use Jaws and a computer, so the same controls and such will show you things.
Don’t be afraid to get lost.
Ask questions now and I’ll tell you specifics.
Wayne, I tried these suggestions, and honestly they just don't help. I'm so frustrated I could spit. I sure wish I lived close to a JAWS user who could come over and help me. I tried the shift tab suggestion, and the only folder it mentions is my in box. I still can't find deleted items and sent folders or drafts folder or anything else. Is there a way to make the damn thing just respond to keyboard commands rather than giving all that bullshit about ribbons?
OK, I tried the insert F1 twice followed by F6. That did take me to a nice list of JAWS commands with Outlook, but I already know how to delete and reply to messages, and the other things didn't make much sense to me. I wrote in my original post the things I don't know how to do, and these issues were not addressed.
When you tab or shift tab what do you find?
Let me give an example. We'll get to the other questions, but lets try to get you seeing folders first.
Also, why don't the directions make sense?
Okay folders.
When you see the in Box and shift tab up it will say in box right?
When your arrow down, do you see the rest of your folders?
Have you tried arrowing right and left on where it just says in box and than arrowing down?
OK, after shift tab, the only thing I find after arrowing in all directions besides in box is folder pane minimized button.
Ah. You press the spacebar on the folder pane minimized button to show the folders, than you can arrow down.
Or enter on that button.
Remember, try things, don't be afraid, it won't break.
On the ribbons. I’ll just tell you this way.
There are other ways to get here.
Press insert, or the Jaws key and the letter J, at the same time.
Press the letter H and you hear training.
Type letter Z and you open the startup menu. This set your setting for how jaws behaves.
Tab until you hear next. Press enter. Tab again until you hear next. Press enter.
Now you’ll hear virtual ribbons.
Uncheck the box. Hit escape.
Now the ribbons won’t show when you press the alt and look around.
Control shift M starts the addressing of a message. If you tab you will hear VCC. Tab again to subject, and tab to message body.
There is a way to keep the folders from going to the folder pane minimized button, but it doesn't bother me enough to change it.
On one computer, I don't have it, but on my laptop, I do.
Remember tab, spacebar or enter. Arrows up and down.
Jaws tells you to press the space bar if you listen on that button.
Wayne, when I hit the spacebar on the folder minimized pane button, the only other folder I see is the out box. Still not finding deleted items box or sent items box. Heaven forbid I might want to create a new folder. Not even going to try.
As for the other instructions, when I hit insert + letter J, it just says JAWS but doesn't actually open the program. I was able to make this work a few days ago but not now. I have no idea what I've done to make it impossible to open JAWS so I can get to the help menu.
Could freedom scientific help here since you have a jaws issue? Sounds to me like something is minimized that shouldn't be. An FS person could maybe get on your computer to help.
They would help.
I'm going to post some more stuff, than a suggestion Becky on how to fix the email so it is back to defaults.
I am going to talk specifically about addressing messages. This is how I do it, but
There are a couple other methods.
To start it I press control+shift+M. I am in the two field.
If I just want regular two, I put my address there.
I tab and see CC. Tab again I see subject. Tab again, I see my message body.
I finish and press alt+S to send it.
Now if I want to use all the fields.
I start my message, but this time I press shift+tab.
I hear CC and if I arrow up I hear two.
I choose on, it doesn’t matter.
I am now invited to use search to find the addresses I want and this works.
I can skip search and just tab until I hear two.
Tab again I hear CC. Tab again, I hear VCC.
I put whatever I want in these fields. Tab again, I hear okay.
Once I hit space bar on okay, I can just tab down until I find the subject, or shift+tab up until I find what I want.
This mail client works like all others, so you’ll hear some extra stuff, but just wait and you’ll hear what I suggest is there.
More personal items.
This morning I opened my email. It opens to my in box and if I just arrow down and up I can see the messages, but they are closed.
It doesn’t indicate how many messages I have, but if I have lots and I’m on the folder title before I open it, it does.
If I press enter and want to keep it, I must press escape to get out of it. In fact pressing escape will get you out of anything.
If I tab and want to close and keep it, I can use, shift+tab, to bring me back to my message list.
When I’m finished reading I can delete it, control +the letter D, I can keep it, I press escape, and I’m back in my message list.
I can move it to a different folder, control+shift+ V.
When moving it I choose where I want to put it by using my arrow keys to select the folder, or typing the first letter of that folders name.
If you have more than 1 mail account, typing the first letter might put you in the other folders say outbox, so check. Once you’ve moved something, and want to do it again, the folder you used last time is the first available.
I can forward it, Control+F. When I do this I am in the address fields, so address the new message, and send it.
On any closed message, or folder title, I can press the applications key, or shift+F10, if you don’t have, to
To see the folder list, have your message closed, and shift tab. Depending on setup, you’ll find the folder pane open or as you saw minimized. Press the space bar, or if open arrow throw them.
Bring up a menu of options.
Pressing enter on the folder title opens that folder.
I see and understand what is happening to you. I am going to try to explain how to fix it.
You will decide if this is just to much, and if so, I suggest you get some help.
The help can be a person that generally understands removing and reinstalling programs.
I also don't know how the office was installed. What I mean by this, is if it came on the computer already, or you have the program available to use, or if you subscribed.
I have to write this out. Lol I can't type it on the fly.
Never mind, Wayne. I found a few helpful tips from another person on one of my lists, but like your tips, some worked and some didn't. Anyway, I'm just going to deal with things the way they are. This is too much trouble to keep worrying about.
Okay. But sense I wrote this. Lol
Let’s talk about your setup.
I’d put Jaws where I could get to it easy, so if the control I talked about doesn’t work, you have it handy.
Press Windows key. You are at the search box.
You can simply type Jaws or if you have more versions installed Jaws and the number you are after.
I’d put Jaws on my desktop, or systems trey.
Press windows, at the search box arrow up once and you hear all programs. Arrow right once, and down, and you hear the first program. Type the letter J to get to the version you want.
Press right arrow and go down until you hear just Jaws. If you press the applications key, and go down to send to, and put it on your desktop it is handy now.
To just use it, when you hear just Jaws, enter.
Now you are in there.
Personally, when I use the startup wizard I talked about, I’d set Jaws to run in my systems tray, so I can get to it, but don’t have to have it on my desktop, because I’m not in it often, so I don’t need the icon.
In the systems trey, it is handy.
I’ll assume you already know how the trey works.
About the Office, and I mean the complete deal.
You need it installed to default settings would be the fastest way to fix all issues.
Depending on how you have it, and I mean on a disc, or whatever, depends on how you go at this.
Because Windows 7 is newto you, I’d simply call Microsoft and have them set me up, however, it is easily handled using add and remove programs.
Type that in that handy search box, add and remove programs, or get it from the control panel, by pressing the Windows key, pressing tab once and typing the letter C. until you hear it.
Arrow down to find it.
I’d repair, or remove and reinstall Office, so it is fresh.
You can fix your issues as well using the options section if you know what is causing you the problem, or you have set up Outlook before, so know what you want.
To get there press the alt key.
Arrow over once and you hear file tab.
I press my down arrow once to set it, than I go up to options.
My reason for not continuing down, is it is more difficult.
I personally can’t say why you are not seeing the items I suggest without being on your computer.
I will promise you it is completely accessible with Jaws 15 though. Get it setup right, and it works as described.
For you that don’t like hassle, or are not up on setting your systems up so they work accessible wise, I’d suggest having a tech from your local rehab center do this work for you.
I understand the frustration, so doing this would help greatly.
When I setup a computer for anyone brand new or used, there are settings that just make these things work easier.
we love to help people becky but sometimes for some people just having MS do it is best. That is totally fine.
Do you have the number to call them so that they can do it for you?
Here's what will happen if you choose go this route.
you'll call MS, explain what you want and they'll be more than happy to remote into your computer to fix things for you.
If you need keyboard shortcuts, feel free to ask them. I have and they did help me out once. I like setting this stuff up but even I had to resort to them a few times. They have been nothing but helpful.
Wayne and John, I'm grateful for your attempts to help. However, I found someone on a list I belong to who was more help regarding Outlook 2013. All of the tips she gave me made sense and were easy to follow. I now have a contact list and BCC field. Also, she basically gave me the same instructions as Wayne did for finding my other folders. For some reason the first dozen or so times I followed Wayne's instructions they didn't work, but all of a sudden today they worked. Who the hell knows why. Anyway, I'm satisfied now with Outlook 2013, so no more help needed.
Okay, so I tried to set up my Hotmail account in Outlook 2013, but I am not sure if I did it correctly. For some reason, I can view messages in my Inbox, but not within any other folder within this account. Did I do something wrong when setting up my account? Or do I need to do something special to view messages in other folders besides my Inbox? I used Windows Live Mail on my old computer, but someone else helped me set up my account. Any help would be appreciated.
Hard to say. Describe the steps you took? Did you install the outlook connector?
According to what I read, there is no need to use the Outlook Connector in Outlook 2013. I have tried adding the account several different times to see if there is something I am doing wrong, but the result always seems to be the same. The last time I tried to add the account, it pretty much disabled the rest of my computer, and I had to restart my computer again. I am simply following the steps outlined in the account set up process.
Never disables computers, so that's odd.
I'm going to check something, because I use 2013, and my accounts, I have 2, were a piece of cake to set up.
Also, I notice you say Hotmail. Have you not migrated to outlook, or outlook.com instead of Hotmail?
In the server it should have asked you a long time ago to change.
If not sign in to outlook.com and set up.
After you do that, remove your account, and re ad it.
You are correct, on Windows 8 I don't have the connector,.
I can connect to my account on the webpage just fine. I do not see anything there to set up. The website shoews all my folders and messages just fine. I never had any problems when using Windows Live Mail on my old computer. All messages, folders, and contacts flowed nicely between Windows Live Mail and the account on the website. I thought outlook would do the same, but perhaps they work differently.
I was helping crazy cat and learned I had posted a wrong control.
When getting to contacts I should have said control plus the number 3.
So control 1 is the mail. 2 is the calendar, and 3 is the contacts.
When I am going through my folders I press the arrow key to get to it, and I either tab down once, or press enter to open the folder.
That was not clear.
Okay, so I figured out my problem , and everything seems to work fine now. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Yea!