Accessibility in Google Docs Editors

Overview

Important: Some features require local provision and won’t be available in all locales.

You can use Google Docs Editors applications, like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, to create and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and videos. You can use these applications on various devices, like computers, smartphones, and tablets.

These applications are designed to be accessible to all users. This includes users with disabilities. There are many built-in accessibility features, like:

Screen reader
Magnifier compatibility
Keyboard navigation
Braille display support
Closed captions and transcripts
High contrast mode support
Voice typing

Tip: For best results, use the latest version of:

Google Docs Editors
Browser
Operating system
Assistive technology

Vision

To interact with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides with spoken feedback or braille, use a screen reader to:

Describe UI elements and content as you navigate
Perform actions
Inform you about alerts and notifications

Since Google Docs Editors share some common UI and prerequisites, it’s recommended to learn how to use Google Docs Editors with a screen reader.

For more information on a wide range of shortcuts, check these articles:

To create documents with structured formats that don't depend on just visual styles to be understood, use templates. When you review the content:

Do not use font styles like strikethrough to indicate edits.
Use the recommendations for when you collaborate and comment with a screen reader.

If you have low vision:

Use Google Docs Editors with magnification & high contrast.
Use Dark theme in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
To adjust the content size without affecting other users of the same content, zoom or change your document view.

When you generate an image with Gemini, insert images and videos, or insert a chart in Sheets, make sure to add alt text.

The latest versions of these third-party assistive technologies also work with Docs, Sheets, and Slides:

For more information on the low vision assistance available on your platform, refer to your platform’s related resources. Features include:

Screen reader
Screen magnification
Text scaling
Improve visibility of focus and cursor
Screen resolution
Color filter and contrast customization
Reading mode
Select to speak

Hearing

You can use Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides without hearing, but you can also add video content. To make the content accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing, add captions. Captions can be:

Automatically generated
Edited
Translated
Added in multiple formats

Learn how to add caption tracks to your video files.

When you make a Slides presentation, to improve the experience for members of your audience who are deaf or hard of hearing, you can show the spoken content in text on the screen if you present slides with captions.

For more information on how to route platform audio to hearing aids, refer to your platform’s related resources.

Alternative input

In addition to a mouse interface of menus and toolbars, Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides also have keyboard shortcuts for various functionalities. For the list of shortcuts, check these articles:

If you prefer to use voice for input to reduce typing, use "Voice typing” in Google Docs and "Speaker notes” in Google Slides. Learn how to type and edit with your voice

If you have a motor disorder or dexterity impairment, you can benefit from various platform features in Google Docs Editors, like:

Add a physical keyboard with:
- Sticky keys
- Filter keys
- Bounce keys
An on-screen keyboard, optionally with a switch device
Mouse keys
Eye or face tracking for mouse input
Voice input for:
- Command
- Control
- Dictation

To learn more about these features, refer to your platform’s related resources.

Cognition

Users with cognitive challenges like processing disorders or distraction issues have different requirements. Some users need extensive hints, more information density, and attention-grabbing UI to stay on task, while others need minimal distractions. To meet these requirements, Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides provide settings and features to address these issues. For example:

If you have processing disorders, distraction issues, or other cognitive challenges, these optional features can be helpful:

You can also use these additional platform features:

Animation toggle
Notification timeout and appearance

To learn more about these additional features, refer to your platform’s related resources.