Appreciate the comprehensive response, though I think we're overcomplicating a simple workflow preference.
Discoverability is great for beginners, but for everyday efficiency, native shortcuts and the QAT are hard to beat. At the end of the day, use whatever keeps your workflow smooth. No argument from me on that. Different strokes for different folks. From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Sumit Mahto Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2026 12:12 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [AI] Virtual Ribbon Menu in NVDA for Microsoft Office Thank you for sharing your thoughts. However, I think there is an important distinction between keyboard shortcuts and the Virtual Ribbon Menu, and perhaps the difference between the two has not been fully understood. Keyboard shortcuts and the Ribbon are two different things. A keyboard shortcut is a direct way of executing a particular command, whereas the Virtual Ribbon Menu provides a structured way to explore and navigate the different options available within the Ribbon. Of course, keyboard shortcuts are extremely useful, especially for commands that we use frequently. However, realistically, how many shortcuts can a person create and remember? Not every user can remember a large number of shortcuts, and sometimes the bigger challenge is simply remembering which option is available where in the Ribbon. This can be particularly difficult for beginners and for users who are still learning Microsoft Office. The Virtual Ribbon Menu makes it easier to explore the available commands and understand where different options are located, rather than requiring the user to remember a separate shortcut for everything. The Virtual Ribbon Menu is actually a very useful feature that has been available in JAWS for quite some time. You may want to check how this feature works in JAWS for a better understanding of what I am referring to. There are many NVDA users who do not use JAWS but were interested in having this kind of functionality available in NVDA as well. If someone personally does not need or want to use the feature, that is completely fine. However, there are many users who find it genuinely useful and have been looking for this functionality. I would also like to clarify one point regarding third-party software or add-ons. This add-on is available through the NVDA Store; it is not something that has been obtained from some unrelated or unknown source. More broadly, the term “third-party” should be used carefully. If an add-on available through the NVDA Store is being referred to as third-party simply because it is an add-on, then technically many add-ons would fall into that category. By the same logic, one could end up dismissing almost every add-on simply because it is not built directly into the core NVDA application. That does not necessarily mean that the add-on is unsafe, unnecessary, or unsuitable. So, I would suggest understanding the exact feature and its purpose before making a conclusion about it. If someone does not want to use it, that is absolutely their choice, but it does not mean the feature has no value for other users. Also, this is not limited to Outlook. The Virtual Ribbon Menu can be useful across Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Its usefulness is ultimately best understood by the people who actually need and use this kind of navigation. Keyboard shortcuts and the Virtual Ribbon Menu therefore serve different purposes. Both can be useful, but one does not replace the other. Thank you again for sharing your suggestions. On Sat, 29 Aug 2026 at 10:34, 'Mister Kayne' via AccessIndia <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: The Keyboard shortcuts are really handy, no need to rely on 3rd party plug-ins and software. ALT + N gets to the Insert Tab of the Ribbon, similarly You can customize the Quick Access Tool Bar to insert your most regularly used options in Outlook e.g. Pressing ALT + 1 will mark the message as HIGH importance, I have ALT + 2 to add signature and ALT + 3 to attach file/ document. From: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > On Behalf Of BHAWANI SHANKAR VERMA Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2026 7:25 AM To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Subject: Re: [AI] Virtual Ribbon Menu in NVDA for Microsoft Office Good add on and presentation. but, once it is activated I am unable to move from home to insert, layout, etc. On 8/24/2026 8:24 PM, Sumit Mahto wrote: Hi Everyone, If you use Microsoft Office with a screen reader, you may already be familiar with the Virtual Ribbon Menu in JAWS. It provides a convenient way to navigate through Ribbon options, making it easier to move between commands and remember where different options are located. Now, a similar approach is available for NVDA users as well. In this video, I have explained in detail how to use the Virtual Ribbon Menu in NVDA with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. The video explains: • What the Virtual Ribbon Menu is and how it works. • How it helps make Ribbon navigation easier. • How to use the Virtual Ribbon Menu with NVDA. • How to navigate and locate different Ribbon commands more efficiently. • Why this method can be useful for users who regularly work with Microsoft Office. • How the experience compares with using the Virtual Ribbon Menu in JAWS. If you are an NVDA user who works with Microsoft Office, this video provides a detailed guide to understanding and using this feature. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/Ig-gIRcb_Go?si=u6ggFx9H7lLmoNVN Sumit -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> . To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CAOKWth55OggxfSbZBGN1JdZB%2BvQiPDoKQLyFHyLAfG%2BOVHQf9w%40mail.gmail.com <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CAOKWth55OggxfSbZBGN1JdZB%2BvQiPDoKQLyFHyLAfG%2BOVHQf9w%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> . -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> . To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/5aec9f1c-da76-4dab-8b4d-baf51f74af2e%40gmail.com <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/5aec9f1c-da76-4dab-8b4d-baf51f74af2e%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> . -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> . To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/004801dd3773%24d9159560%248b40c020%24%40mister-kayne.com <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/004801dd3773%24d9159560%248b40c020%24%40mister-kayne.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> . -- Sumit -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> . To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CAOKWth6zztOv48mUoFsXSmFxoCCxpy0Qa0nDAxg%3DyhhAog4ZEw%40mail.gmail.com <https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/CAOKWth6zztOv48mUoFsXSmFxoCCxpy0Qa0nDAxg%3DyhhAog4ZEw%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> . -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/00e501dd37bc%24bd9ff8e0%2438dfeaa0%24%40mister-kayne.com.
