Use a screen reader to add an emoticon in skype for business in outlook on the web

This article is for people with visual impairments who use a screen reader program with the Office products and is part of the Office Accessibility content set. For more general help, see Office Support home.

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 Windows screen reader, Narrator. To learn more about using Narrator, go to Complete guide to Narrator.

• This topic assumes you are using this app with a PC. Some navigation and gestures might be different for a Windows phone or tablet.

• Because Outlook on the web runs in your web browser, the keyboard shortcuts are different from those in the desktop program. For example, you'll use Ctrl+F6 instead of F6 for jumping in and out of the commands. Also, common shortcuts like F1 (Help) and Ctrl+O (Open) apply to the web browser – not Outlook on the web.

Skype for Business in Outlook on the web is a browser-based meeting tool that you use to join already scheduled meetings. You can use a screen reader to join a meeting that was scheduled using either Outlook or Skype for Business Web Scheduler.

You don't need to download or install any apps to join a meeting with Skype for Business in Outlook on the web; just navigate to the Join Skype Meeting link in the email or calendar request with the meeting information, and press Enter to select.

In this topic

• Add an emoticon to an instant message during a Skype for Business meeting

• Add an emoticon to an instant message during an active Skype for Business conversation in Outlook on the web

Add an emoticon to an instant message during a Skype for Business meeting

1. While you're in a meeting and the focus is in the IM editing box, press the Tab key until you hear "Choose an emoticon, button."

2. To open the emoticon pane, press Spacebar. The focus is on the first emoticon.

3. Press the Right or Left arrow key to move through the choices. Narrator reads the emoticon names.

4. When the focus is on the emoticon you want to add, press Spacebar. To close the emoticon pane, press Esc. The emoticon pane closes and the focus remains on the emoticon button. To return to the editing box, press Shift+Tab until you hear: "Chat input." You can now continue typing or send the message by pressing Enter.

Add an emoticon to an instant message during an active Skype for Business conversation in Outlook on the web

1. While the focus is in the IM editing box, press the Tab key until you hear "Choose an emoticon, button," and press Spacebar.

2. Press the Tab key until you hear "Smile" and the number of the currently selected emoticon. Then press the Right or Left arrow key to move through the choices. Narrator reads the emoticon names.

3. When the focus is on the emoticon you want to add, press Spacebar. The focus returns to the editing box and you hear: "Chat input."

See also

Use a screen reader to send an Instant Message in Skype for Business

Basic tasks using a screen reader with Skype for Business

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.