Note: In general, we have found that Firefox is the best browser to use with Google Apps and Dragon.
- General Work-Arounds
- Google Work-Arounds Common to Drive Apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
- Google Docs Work-Arounds
- Google Sheets Work-Arounds
- Google Slides Work-Arounds
- Google Calendar Work-Arounds
- Google Blogger Work-Arounds
General Work-Arounds
Problem: Selecting and activating links or buttons
Solution: In some cases, you will be able to speak the name of a link or button and it will activate. When this does not work, the most effective method of positioning the cursor is usually a NaturallySpeaking feature called MouseGrid. If you have not previously used it, here is an introduction to MouseGrid use. Once you have positioned your cursor, say “MouseClick” and the link or button should activate. (Please use the form below to let us know of any situations where this does not work.)
Another strategy is to say “Press Tab” to move forward through clickable items, or “Press Shift Tab” to move backward. However, this can take several repetitions of the command until you navigate to what you want to activate, and the navigation order is not always predictable.
Problem: Selecting items from menus and other pull-down lists
Solution: Where provided, keyboard shortcuts can be used; simply say "Press" plus the shortcut. Some apps use the Alt + Shift + [letter] command to open menus (e.g., Press Alt + Shift + F opens the file menu). If this command is used, you will see underlined letters indicating other keyboard shortcuts; you will not see these letters if you open the menu with MouseGrid.
Activating pull-down lists with MouseGrid usually requires two steps: one to open the list and one to navigate to the desired option. In some cases, activating MouseGrid a second time causes the list to disappear, making the function inaccessible; instances that we have found of this have been communicated to Google.
Once the desired item has been selected, "Press Enter" will usually activate it.
Google Work-Arounds Common to Drive Apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
- Position the mouse over the icon or object you want to drag and then say "Mark" (for example, say "MouseGrid 9 1 Mark").
- Move the mouse pointer to where you want to drag the object and then say "Drag" (for example, say "Mouse Grid 6 3 Drag").
Problem: Navigating Google's Print interface.
Solution: Use MouseGrid.
Problem: Highlighting text
Solution: Position the cursor, then use the commands "Press Shift Up Arrow," "Press Shift Down Arrow," "Press Shift Right Arrow" and "Press Shift Left Arrow."
Problem: Moving the cursor to the previous or next line.
Solution: Say "Press Up Arrow" and "Press Down Arrow."
Problem: Moving the cursor to the previous or next word.
Solution: Say "Press Control Left Arrow" and "Press Control Right Arrow."
Problem: Moving the cursor to the beginning or end of a line.
Solution: Say "Press Home" and "Press End."
Problem: Moving the cursor to the beginning or end of a document.
Solution: Say "Go to Top" and "Go to Bottom."
Problem: Cut, copy, or paste text.
Solution: Say "Press Control X," "Press Control C," or "Press Control V."
Problem: Undoing or redoing a change
Solution: Say "Press Control Z" and "Press Control Y."
Google Docs Work-Arounds
Problem: Moving the cursor within a Google text document
Solution: MouseGrid is usually a good choice. In addition, the standard NaturallySpeaking navigation commands Move Up [x] lines/Move Down [x] lines work in Google documents. However, Move Right/Left commands don’t work.
Problem: Entering text into a text area
Solution 1: Compose the text in another application, such as DragonPad or Microsoft Word, and copy it (say “Press Control A” to highlight all the text, and “Press Control C” to copy it). Then switch to the Google application, position your cursor where you wish to insert the text, and say “Press Control V”
Solution 2: When you are in a Google App, say “Show Dictation Box.” A blank text box will appear. You should be able to dictate into this box using most standard NaturallySpeaking commands (a Dictation Box tutorial is available at http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-use-the-naturallyspeaking-dictation-box.html). When you are done, say “Transfer” and the text will be transferred into the Google text area.
Problem: Editing small amounts of existing text
Solution: Position the cursor. Then to add a character, say “Press” and the character name (e.g., “Press P” or “Press space” or “Press semicolon”). To delete a character, say “Press backspace” or “Press delete.”
Problem: Selecting text
Solution 1: To select a single word, use MouseGrid to position your cursor anywhere over the word, then say “Double click.”
Solution 2: To select larger blocks of text, position the cursor. Then say, “Drag Mouse Left” or “Drag Mouse Right.” When the correct amount of text has been selected, say “Stop.”
Problem: Editing selected text
Solution: Select the text, then use the “Show Dictation Box” command (see explanation under “Entering text into a text area”, solution 2, above). This time, the highlighted text will appear in the Dictation Box. Edit it, then say “Transfer” when you’re finished.
Problem: Accessing pull-down menus
Solution: Say "Press Alt Shift B" to open the table menu and "Press I" to bring up the grid for specifying table dimensions. Then use "Press Right Arrow" and "Press Down Arrow" commands to select the number of rows and columns.
Google Sheets Work-Arounds
Problem: Select multiple cells
Solution: Move focus to initial cell in range, then say "Press Shift [arrow key]" multiple times; e.g., "Press Shift Down Arrow" to select cells within a column.
Google Slides Work-Arounds
Problem: Choosing a theme
Solution: Say "Title" plus the theme name, then say "OK." (Saying "Mouse Click" or "Press Enter" does not work.)
Problem: Move focus to speaker notes
Solution: Say "Press S."
- Position the mouse over the icon or object you want to drag and then say "Mark" (for example, say "MouseGrid 9 1 Mark").
- Move the mouse pointer to where you want to drag the object and then say "Drag" (for example, say "Mouse Grid 6 3 Drag").
Google Calendar Work-Arounds
Problem: In the Day, Week, and Month views, commands such as "Next Day" or "Previous Month" don't work to navigate between time periods.
Solution: For each of these, say "Next Period" and "Previous Period."
Problem: Create a new calendar
Solution: Use MouseGrid to navigate to the arrow next to "My Calendars" and use this to pull down the popup list of options. Then say "Create new calendar."
Problem: Hide calendar from the list
Solution: Use MouseGrid to move focus to the calendar you want to hide and to click on the right-side arrow that brings up its popup list. Then say "Move mouse down" to move the focus to the "Hide this calendar..." option. Say "Press Enter" when the option gains focus.
Google Blogger Work-Arounds
Problem: Choosing a template
Solution: Navigate to the desired template by using MouseGrid or by saying "Press Tab" multiple times, then say "Press Enter."
Problem: Set the color of selected text.
Solution: Pull down the color palette using spoken commands, then use MouseGrid to select the color.
Problem: Indent items in the Post Editor
Solution: Say "Press Tab"
Your Input
If you wish to contact Google directly, we recommend using their accessibility feedback form or joining the Accessibility Google Group.