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How to Set the Reading Order in Documents

The guides on this page provide step-by-step instructions adjusting the reading order of content within digital learning materials. Guides cover programs that are commonly used by educators to creating learning content in digital formats. 

Steps are provided for users who interact with content using a mouse pointer as well as for those users who interact using keyboard commands.

Each guide appears in two formats - HTML and PDF. The PDF handout version is linked at the top of each corresponding accordion tab. 

Setting Reading Order in Microsoft PowerPoint


Step 1

Review the order of objects in the slide.

Activate the Selection Pane by selecting the Home ribbon, selecting Arrange under the Drawing group, and selecting Selection Pane from the drop-down menu.

Note: If you use a screen reader, you do not need to activate the Selection Pane.


Step 2

In the Selection Pane on the right, review the reading order of the slide elements. Note that the reading order moves from bottom to top in this list, so the first item to be read should be at the bottom, with the last to be read at the top.

OR

Press TAB to move through the slide objects and review their reading order.


Step 3

To re-order objects, select the object on the slide or in the Selection Pane and select the up or down arrows near the top right of the Selection Pane.

OR

Select the object in the slide view, select the Home ribbon, and select Bring Forward or Send Backward.

OR

Press SHIFT + F10 to open the context menu on the selected item. Use the ARROW keys to navigate to the Bring to Front or Send to Back item and press ENTER to open the submenu. Use the ARROW keys to navigate to Bring Forward or Move Backward and press ENTER to select.


Step 4

Check the Selection Pane on the right to confirm that the correct reading order (bottom to top) has been applied.

OR

Press TAB to move through the objects on the slide to confirm that the correct reading order has been applied.  


Setting Reading Order in Microsoft PowerPoint Online


Step 1

Review the order of objects in the slide.

Activate the Selection Pane by selecting the Home ribbon, selecting Arrange under the Drawing group, and selecting Selection Pane from the drop-down menu.

OR

WINDOWS + ALT then H to open the home ribbon. Select G to open the Arrange menu and P to open the Selection Pane.

Note: If you use a screen reader, you do not need to activate the Selection Pane.


Step 2

In the Selection Pane on the right, review the reading order of the slide elements. Note that the reading order moves from bottom to top in this list, so the first item to be read should be at the bottom, with the last to be read at the top.

OR

Press TAB to move through the slide objects and review their reading order.


Step 3

To re-order objects, select the object on the slide or in the Selection Pane and select the up or down arrows near the top right of the Selection Pane.

OR

Select the object in the slide view, select the Home ribbon, and select Bring Forward or Send Backward.

OR

Press SHIFT + F10 to open the context menu on the selected item. Use the ARROW keys to navigate to the Bring to Front or Send to Back item and press ENTER to open the submenu. Use the ARROW keys to navigate to Bring Forward or Move Backward and press ENTER to select


Step 4

Check the Selection Pane on the right to confirm that the correct reading order (bottom to top) has been applied.

OR

Press TAB to move through the objects on the slide to confirm that the correct reading order has been applied.