This article is for people who use a screen reader program such as Windows Narrator, JAWS, or NVDA with Windows tools or features and Microsoft 365 products. This article is part of the Accessibility help & learning content set where you can find more accessibility information on our apps. For general help, visit Microsoft Support.
Use To Do with your keyboard and a screen reader to create task lists for a specific project, timeline, or routine. We have tested it with Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA, but it might work with other screen readers as long as they follow common accessibility standards and techniques. You'll learn how to change the list design, share lists, sort your lists the way you want, and to delete lists when you no longer need them.
Notes:
-
New Microsoft 365 features are released gradually to Microsoft 365 subscribers, so your app might not have these features yet. To learn how you can get new features faster, join the Office Insider program.
-
To learn more about screen readers, go to How screen readers work with Microsoft 365.
In this topic
Create a list
Create a list of tasks you want to complete for, for example, a specific day or project.
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To create a new list in To Do, press Ctrl+L. A new untitled list is created.
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To name the list, press Shift+Tab until you hear "Untitled list," and then press Enter. Then type the name of your list, and press Enter.
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To add a task to your new list, press the Tab key until you hear "Add a task," type the task text, and then press Enter. The focus stays in the Add a task field, so you can repeat this step to add more tasks.
Rename a list
You can rename a list to suit your purposes better.
Note: Renaming lists is only possible for lists you have created.
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Press Ctrl+1 to expand the To Do sidebar.
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Press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear "Lists," followed by the name of the currently selected list or filter option.
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Press the Down or Up arrow key until you find the list you want to rename, and then press Enter to open it.
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Press the Tab key until you hear the current name of the list, followed by "Rename list, button." Press Enter to edit the name.
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Type a new name for the list, and then press Enter to apply it.
Change list themes
Change the theme of a list to fit the design you want.
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Press Ctrl+1 to expand the To Do sidebar.
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Press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear "Lists," followed by the name of the currently selected list or filter option.
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Press the Down or Up arrow key until you find the list you want to edit, and then press Enter.
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Press the Tab key until you hear "List options, button," and then press Enter to open the menu.
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To select a theme color or background image, press the Down arrow key until you hear a theme color or background name. Then navigate the grid with the arrow keys to find the color or background you want, and press Spacebar to select it.
Note: In the grid, all color options appear before any background options.
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Press Esc to close the menu.
Show or hide completed tasks
By default, both completed and uncompleted tasks are shown on your lists. To help you organize your lists, you can hide completed tasks.
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Press Ctrl+1 to expand the To Do sidebar.
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Press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear "Lists," followed by the name of the currently selected list or filter option.
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Press the Down or Up arrow key until you find the list you want to edit, and then press Enter.
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To move to the task list content, press the Tab key until you hear "List options, button," and then press the Tab key once more.
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Do one of the following:
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To hide completed tasks, press the Down or Up arrow key until you hear "Collapse completed," and then press Enter.
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To show hidden completed tasks, press the Down or Up arrow key until you hear "Expand completed," and then press Enter.
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Sort a list
Sorting a list can help you organize and find your tasks more efficiently.
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Press Ctrl+1 to expand the To Do sidebar.
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Press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear "Lists," followed by the name of the currently selected list or filter option.
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Press the Down or Up arrow key until you find the list you want to sort, and then press Enter.
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Press the Tab key until you hear "List options, button," and then press Enter to open the menu.
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Press the Down arrow key until you hear "Sort by," and then press Enter.
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Press the Down arrow key until you hear the option you want, and then press Enter.
The menu closes after you make the selection.
Delete a list
When you no longer need a list you have created, you can delete it.
Note: Deleting lists is only possible for lists you have created.
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Press Ctrl+1 to expand the To Do sidebar.
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Press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear "Lists," followed by the name of the currently selected list or filter option.
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Press the Down or Up arrow key until you find the list you want to delete, and then press Enter.
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Press the Tab key until you hear "List options, button," and then press Enter to open the menu.
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Press the Down arrow key until you hear "Delete list," and then press Enter.
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To confirm the deletion, press the Tab key until you reach the Delete button, and then press Enter.
See also
Use a screen reader to move tasks between or within lists in To Do
Use a screen reader to show all tasks with a due date in the Planned list in To Do
Use a screen reader to work with tasks in To Do
Use a screen reader to work with suggestions in To Do
Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365
Use To Do for Mac with your keyboard and VoiceOver, the built-in macOS screen reader, to create task lists for a specific project, timeline, or routine. You'll also learn how to change the list design, share lists, sort your lists the way you want, and to delete lists when you no longer need them.
Notes:
-
New Microsoft 365 features are released gradually to Microsoft 365 subscribers, so your app might not have these features yet. To learn how you can get new features faster, join the Office Insider program.
-
This topic assumes that you are using the built-in macOS screen reader, VoiceOver. To learn more about using VoiceOver, go to VoiceOver Getting Started Guide.
In this topic
Create a list
Create a list of tasks you want to complete for, for example, a specific day or project.
-
To create a new list in To Do, press Command+L. A new untitled list is created and the focus moves to the list name text field.
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Type a name for the list, and then press Return.
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To add a task to your new list, press the Tab key until you hear: "Add a task." Type the task text, and then press Return. You hear: "Task added."
Rename a list
You can rename a list to suit your purposes better.
Note: You can only rename lists you have created.
-
Navigate to the list you want to rename. For instructions on how to navigate to a list, refer to the section "Navigate the task list view" in Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do.
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When the right list is open in the main content area, press the Tab key until you hear the name of the list, followed by "Content selected, List title, Edit text."
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Type a new name for the list, and press Return to apply it.
Change list themes
Change the theme of a list to fit the design you want.
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Navigate to the list where you want to change the theme. For instructions on how to navigate to a list, refer to the section "Navigate the task list view" in Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do.
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When the right list is open in the main content area, press the Tab key until you hear "List options," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar to open the menu.
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Press Control+Option+Down arrow key until you hear "Change theme ellipses," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar to select. The Pick a theme submenu opens.
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To select a theme color or change the background image, press Control+Option+Right arrow key until you hear the theme color or background image you want. Then press Control+Option+Spacebar to select it.
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Press Esc to close the submenu.
Show or hide completed tasks
By default, both completed and uncompleted tasks are shown on your lists. To help you organize your lists, you can hide completed tasks.
-
Navigate to the list where you want to show or hide completed tasks. For instructions on how to navigate to a list, refer to the section "Navigate the task list view" in Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do.
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When the right list is open in the main content area, press the Tab key until you hear "List options," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar to open the menu.
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Do one of the following:
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To hide completed tasks, press Control+Option+Down arrow key until you hear "Hide completed tasks," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar to select.
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To show hidden completed tasks, press Control+Option+Down arrow key until you hear "Show completed tasks," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar to select.
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Sort a list
Sorting a list can help you organize and find your tasks more efficiently.
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Navigate to the list you want to sort. For instructions on how to navigate to a list, refer to the section "Navigate the task list view" in Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do.
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When the right list is open in the main content area, press the Tab key until you hear "List options," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar to open the menu.
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Press Control+Option+Down arrow key until you hear "Sort, submenu" and then press Control+Option+Spacebar to select. The submenu opens.
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Press Control+Option+Down arrow key until you hear the sorting option you want, and then press Control+Option+Spacebar to select. The menu closes after you make a selection.
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To remove sorting from a list, navigate to the list, press the Tab key until you hear "Remove sorting," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar.
Delete a list
When you no longer need a list you have created, you can delete it.
Note: You can only delete lists you have created.
-
Navigate to the list you want to delete. For instructions on how to navigate to a list, refer to the section "Navigate the task list view" in Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do.
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When the right list is open in the main content area, press the Tab key until you hear "List options," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar to open the menu.
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Press Control+Option+Down arrow key until you hear "Delete list," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar to select.
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A confirmation dialog box opens. To confirm the deletion, press the Tab key until you hear "Delete list," and then press Control+Option+Spacebar.
See also
Use a screen reader to move tasks between or within lists
Use a screen reader to show all tasks with a due date in the Planned list in To Do
Use a screen reader to work with tasks in To Do
Use a screen reader to work with suggestions in To Do
Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365
Use To Do for iOS with VoiceOver, the built-in iOS screen reader, to create lists of tasks for a specific project, timeline, or routine. You can also edit and share lists, change the design, and organize the lists. Later you can delete them when you no longer need them.
Notes:
-
New Microsoft 365 features are released gradually to Microsoft 365 subscribers, so your app might not have these features yet. To learn how you can get new features faster, join the Office Insider program.
-
This topic assumes that you are using the built-in iOS screen reader, VoiceOver. To learn more about using VoiceOver, visit Apple accessibility.
In this topic
Create a list
Create a list of the tasks you want to complete for, for example, a specific day or project.
-
In To Do, swipe left until you hear: "Sidebar." Double-tap the screen to select.
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To create a new list, swipe right until you hear: "New list." Then double-tap the screen to select. A new list is created.
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To name the new list, swipe right. You hear: "List title." Double-tap the screen. Use the on-screen keyboard to delete the placeholder name and type the new name.
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To add a task to your new list, swipe right until you reach the Add a task button, and double-tap the screen. Use the on-screen keyboard to type the text for the task. Once you're done, slide one finger at the bottom right edge of the screen until you hear "Return," and double-tap the screen. The task is added to the list. Repeat this step for all tasks that you want to add to the list.
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To save the new list, swipe left until you hear: "Done Button." Double-tap the screen to select. The new list is saved.
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To exit the new list and return to the sidebar, swipe left until you hear "Sidebar, Button," and then double-tap the screen.
Rename a list
You can rename a list to suit your purposes better.
Note: Renaming lists is only possible for lists you have created.
-
In To Do, swipe left until you hear: "Sidebar." Double-tap the screen to select.
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Swipe right until you hear the list you want to rename. To select the list, double-tap the screen.
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Swipe right until you hear: "List options." Double-tap the screen to select. The List options menu opens. You hear: "Rename list."
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To rename the list, double-tap the screen. The focus moves to the list name field. Use the on-screen keyboard to edit the list name.
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Once you're done typing the new list name, swipe right until you hear: "Done." Double-tap the screen to select.
Change list themes
Change the theme of a list and its background color to fit the design you want.
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In To Do, swipe left until you hear: "Sidebar." Double-tap the screen to select.
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Swipe right until you hear the list whose theme you want to change. To select the list, double-tap the screen.
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Swipe right until you hear: "List options." Double-tap the screen to select. The List options menu opens.
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Swipe right until you hear: "Change theme." Then double-tap the screen to select. The Theme menu opens.
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To select a background color, swipe right until you hear the color you want, and then double-tap the screen.
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To select a theme image, continue to swipe right until you hear the image you want, and then double-tap the screen.
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After selecting the new background color or image, to save and close the Theme menu, swipe left until you hear: "Done." Double-tap the screen to select.
Show or hide completed tasks
By default, both completed and not completed tasks are shown on your lists. To help you organize your lists, you can hide completed tasks.
-
In To Do, swipe left until you hear: "Sidebar." Double-tap the screen to select.
-
Swipe right until you hear the list in which you want to hide or change completed tasks. To select the list, double-tap the screen.
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Swipe right until you hear: "List options." Double-tap the screen to select. The List options menu opens.
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Do one of the following:
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To hide completed tasks, swipe right until you hear: "Hide completed tasks." Then double-tap the screen to select.
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To show hidden completed tasks, swipe right until you hear: "Show completed tasks." Then double-tap the screen to select.
The List options menu closes and the focus returns to the list.
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Sort a list
Sorting the tasks in a list can help you organize and find your tasks more efficiently.
-
In To Do, swipe left until you hear: "Sidebar." Double-tap the screen to select.
-
Swipe right until you hear the list you want to sort. To select the list, double-tap the screen.
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Swipe right until you hear: "List options." Double-tap the screen to select. The List options menu opens.
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Swipe right until you hear: "Sort." Then double-tap the screen. The Sort menu opens.
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To select a sorting option, swipe right until you hear the option you want, and then double-tap the screen to select.
The Sort menu closes, and the focus returns to the list.
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To remove sorting from a list, navigate to and open the list, swipe right or left until you hear: "Remove sorting," and then double-tap the screen.
Delete a list
When you no longer need a list you have created, you can delete it.
Note: Deleting lists is only possible for lists you have created.
-
In To Do, swipe left until you hear: "Sidebar." Double-tap the screen to select.
-
Swipe right until you hear the list you want to delete. To select the list, double-tap the screen.
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Swipe right until you hear: "List options." Double-tap the screen to select. The List options menu opens.
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To delete the list, swipe right until you hear: "Delete list." Then double-tap the screen.
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A confirmation window opens. To confirm the deletion, swipe right. You hear: "Delete list" Double-tap the screen to select.
The list is deleted, and the focus moves to the next list.
See also
Use a screen reader to move tasks between or within lists
Use a screen reader to show all tasks with a due date in the Planned list in To Do
Use a screen reader to work with tasks in To Do
Use a screen reader to work with suggestions in To Do
Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365
Use To Do for Android with TalkBack, the built-in Android screen reader, to create task lists for a specific project, timeline, or routine. You can also change the list design, sort your lists the way you want, and share lists with your colleagues. Later you can delete them when you no longer need them.
Notes:
-
New Microsoft 365 features are released gradually to Microsoft 365 subscribers, so your app might not have these features yet. To learn how you can get new features faster, join the Office Insider program.
-
This topic assumes that you are using the built-in Android screen reader, TalkBack. To learn more about using TalkBack, go to Android accessibility.
In this topic
Create a list
Create a list of the tasks you want to complete for, for example, a specific day or project.
-
Swipe right or left until you hear "Sidebar," and then double-tap the screen.
-
To create a new list, swipe right until you hear "New list," and then double-tap the screen. A new untitled list is created and the focus moves to the list name field.
-
Use the on-screen keyboard to type the name of your list.
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Swipe down-then-left to close the keyboard.
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Swipe right until you hear "Create list," and then double-tap the screen.
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To add a task to your new list, swipe right until you reach the Add a task button. Double-tap the screen to select. The focus moves to the task text field. Use the on-screen keyboard to type the task text.
Once you're done, swipe right until you hear "Add a task," and double-tap the screen. The task is added to the list, and you can type the text for your next task.
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Swipe down-then-left to close the keyboard.
Rename a list
You can rename a list to suit your purposes better.
Note: Renaming lists is only possible for lists you have created.
-
Swipe right or left until you hear "Sidebar," and then double-tap the screen.
-
To go to a list, swipe right until you hear the list you want to rename, and then double-tap the screen.
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To open the list options menu, swipe right until you hear "More options," and then double-tap the screen. You hear: "Menu expanded."
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The focus is on the Rename list option. Double-tap the screen to select it. The focus moves to the list name field.
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Use the on-screen keyboard to edit the list name.
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Swipe down-then-left to close the keyboard.
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Swipe right until you hear "Save," and then double-tap the screen.
Change list themes
Change the theme of a list to fit the design you want.
-
Swipe right or left until you hear "Sidebar," and then double-tap the screen.
-
To go to a list, swipe right until you hear the list whose theme you want to change, and then double-tap the screen.
-
Swipe right until you hear "More options," and then double-tap the screen. You hear: "Menu expanded."
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Swipe right until you hear "Change theme," and then double-tap the screen.
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To select a background color, swipe right until you hear the color you want, and then double-tap the screen.
-
To select a theme image, continue to swipe right until you hear the theme you want, and then double-tap the screen.
-
Swipe down-then-left to close the menu.
Show or hide completed tasks
By default, both completed and uncompleted tasks are shown in your lists. To help you organize your lists, you can hide completed tasks.
-
Swipe right or left until you hear "Sidebar," and then double-tap the screen.
-
To go to a list, swipe right until you hear the list in which you want to hide or show completed tasks, and then double-tap the screen.
-
Swipe right until you hear "More options," and then double-tap the screen. You hear: "Menu expanded."
-
Do one of the following:
-
To hide completed tasks, swipe right until you hear "Hide completed tasks," and then double-tap the screen.
-
To show hidden completed tasks, swipe right until you hear "Show completed tasks," and then double-tap the screen.
-
Sort a list
Sorting a list can help you organize and find your tasks more efficiently.
-
Swipe right or left until you hear "Sidebar," and then double-tap the screen.
-
To go to a list, swipe right until you hear the list which you want to sort, and then double-tap the screen.
-
Swipe right until you hear "More options," and then double-tap the screen. You hear: "Menu expanded."
-
Swipe right until you hear "Sort," and then double-tap the screen.
-
To select a sorting option, swipe right or left until you hear the option you want, then double-tap the screen. After selecting a sorting option, the sort menu closes, and the focus returns to the list view.
-
To remove sorting from a list, navigate to and open the list, swipe right or left until you hear "Remove sorting," and then double-tap the screen.
Delete a list
When you no longer need a list you have created, you can delete it.
Note: Deleting lists is only possible for lists you have created.
-
Swipe right or left until you hear "Sidebar," and then double-tap the screen.
-
To go to a list, swipe right until you hear the list which you want to delete, and then double-tap the screen.
-
Swipe right until you hear "More options," and then double-tap the screen. You hear: "Menu expanded."
-
To delete the list, swipe right until you hear "Delete list," and then double-tap the screen.
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To confirm the deletion, swipe right until you hear "Delete," and then double-tap the screen.
After deleting the list, the focus returns to the sidebar menu.
See also
Use a screen reader to move tasks between or within lists
Use a screen reader to show all tasks with a due date in the Planned list in To Do
Use a screen reader to work with tasks in To Do
Use a screen reader to work with suggestions in To Do
Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365
Use To Do for the web with your keyboard and a screen reader to create lists of tasks for a specific project, timeline, or routine. We have tested it with Narrator in Microsoft Edge and JAWS and NVDA in Chrome, but it might work with other screen readers and web browsers as long as they follow common accessibility standards and techniques. You'll also learn how to edit, share, change the design, and organize the lists. You can even delete lists when you no longer need them.
Notes:
-
New Microsoft 365 features are released gradually to Microsoft 365 subscribers, so your app might not have these features yet. To learn how you can get new features faster, join the Office Insider program.
-
To learn more about screen readers, go to How screen readers work with Microsoft 365.
-
When you use To Do for the web with Narrator, we recommend that you use Microsoft Edge as your web browser.
In this topic
Create a list
Create a list of tasks you want to complete for, for example, a specific day or project.
-
In To Do, to create a new list, press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear: "Create group." With Narrator, press the SR key+Left arrow key until you hear: "List name, edit, name this list." With JAWS and NVDA, press the Up arrow key until you hear "List name, edit, submenu," and then press Enter.
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Type a list name, and then press Enter. The list is created and the focus moves to the text field of the first task in the list.
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Type your text for the task, and press Enter. The task is added to the list and the focus moves to the text field of a new task. Repeat this step for all tasks you want to add to the list.
Rename a list
You can rename a list to suit your purposes better.
Note: You can only rename lists you have created.
-
Navigate to the list you want to rename. For instructions on how to navigate to a list, refer to the section "Navigate the task list view" in Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do.
-
When the right list is open in the main content area, press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear: "List options." Press Spacebar to select. You hear: "Rename list." The focus is on the Rename list button.
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To rename the list, press Enter, type the new list name, and then press Enter again. The list name is changed.
Change list themes
Change the theme color of a list to customize your lists.
-
Navigate to the list where you want to change the theme color. For instructions on how to navigate to a list, refer to the section "Navigate the task list view" in Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do.
-
When the right list is open in the main content area, press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear: "List options." Press Spacebar to select.
-
Press the Tab key until you hear "Change theme," and then press Spacebar to expand the theme color menu.
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Press the Tab key until you find the theme color you want, and then press Enter to select.
Show or hide completed tasks
By default, completed tasks are hidden to keep your lists tidy and organized. You can unhide them if you want to review the completed tasks in a list, and then hide them again when you're done.
-
Navigate to the list where you want to show or hide completed tasks. For instructions on how to navigate to a list, refer to the section "Navigate the task list view" in Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do.
-
When the right list is open in the main content area, do one of the following:
-
To hide completed tasks, press the Tab key until you hear "Completed button, expanded," and then press Spacebar.
-
To show hidden completed tasks, press the Tab key until you hear "Completed button, collapsed," and then press Spacebar to select.
-
Sort a list
Sorting a list can help you organize and find your tasks more efficiently.
-
Navigate to the list you want to sort. For instructions on how to navigate to a list, refer to the section "Navigate the task list view" in Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do.
-
When the right list is open in the main content area, press the Tab key until you hear "Sort button, collapsed" and then press Spacebar. The Sort by menu opens.
-
To select a sorting option, press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear the option you want, and then press Spacebar to select.
-
To remove sorting from a list, press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear "Remove sort order option," and then press Spacebar to select.
Delete a list
When you no longer need a list you have created, you can delete it.
Note: You can only delete lists you have created.
-
Navigate to the list you want to delete. For instructions on how to navigate to a list, refer to the section "Navigate the task list view" in Use a screen reader to explore and navigate To Do.
-
When the right list is open in the main content area, press the Tab key or Shift+Tab until you hear: "List options." Press Spacebar to select.
-
To delete the list, press the Tab key until you hear "Delete list," and then press Spacebar to select.
-
A confirmation dialog box opens. To confirm the deletion, press the Tab key until you hear "Delete list," and then press Spacebar to select it.
See also
Use a screen reader to move tasks between or within lists
Use a screen reader to show all tasks with a due date in the Planned list in To Do
Use a screen reader to work with tasks in To Do
Technical support for customers with disabilities
Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.
If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.
