[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "as%20a%20screen%20reader%2C%20I%20want%20to%20use%20powerpoint%20in%20slide%20show%20mode.%20I%20have%20an%20external%20monitor%20plugged%20into%20my%20laptop.%20when%20I%20hit%20f5%20I%20can%27t%20read%20the%20text%20on%20the%20slides%2C%20even%20if%20i%20press%20the%20f6%20key%20a%20few%20times.%20how%20can%20i%20overcome%20this%3F%20I%27m%20using%20jaws."
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "When using JAWS to read PowerPoint presentations in Slide Show mode on a laptop with a second monitor, the screen reader *won\u2019t* automatically read the slide content unless certain modes and settings are in place. Here are steps and tips to configure PowerPoint and JAWS so you can hear the slide text as you present, even when the slides are projected.\n\n---\n\n## \u2705 What you need to check and set up\n\n1. **Extended Display, Not Mirrored**\n   - Make sure your external monitor is set to *Extended* mode, not *Duplicate/Mirror*. This allows Presenter View to show on one screen (your laptop) while just the slides appear on the external monitor. Microsoft\u2019s documentation confirms that Presenter View starts automatically when PowerPoint sees two displays in extended mode. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-a-screen-reader-to-show-your-presentation-with-powerpoint-7d9983fd-753d-474e-8214-c760e0bf75f2?utm_source=openai))\n\n2. **Enable Presenter View**\n   - In PowerPoint:\n     - Go to the **Slide Show** tab \u2192 ensure **Use Presenter View** is checked.  \n     - Also in Slide Show settings, select which monitor shows the slides and which shows Presenter View. ([hdkb.clemson.edu](https://hdkb.clemson.edu/phpkb/print.php?id=1444&utm_source=openai))\n\n3. **Confirm Display Assignment**\n   - If the wrong monitor is displaying the slide content, in the Slide Show tab\u2019s *Monitors* section there\u2019s a \u201cShow Presentation On\u201d dropdown. Select the external monitor as the audience slide display. ([lab.elessons.gr](https://lab.elessons.gr/mod/book/view.php?chapterid=2020&id=2714&utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\udd0a Getting JAWS to read slide content in Slide Show mode\n\nEven with Presenter View working, JAWS won\u2019t automatically read every element unless you use the correct keys or modes.\n\n1. **Switch to Virtual Cursor / Scan Mode**\n   - Microsoft recommends using **JAWS virtual cursor mode** when in Slide Show view, so you can navigate objects/text on the slide. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/basic-tasks-to-create-a-presentation-in-powerpoint-with-a-screen-reader-1ada02d7-2f1c-496e-92fd-6a811547a7c3?utm_source=openai))\n\n2. **Keystrokes to Read Slide Objects**\n   - When the slide show is up:\n     - Use the **Down Arrow** key repeatedly to move between objects on the slide.\n     - Once an object is focused, JAWS can read its content. You may need to press the keystroke for reading an object; often something like **JAWS + Page Down**. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/basic-tasks-to-create-a-presentation-in-powerpoint-with-a-screen-reader-1ada02d7-2f1c-496e-92fd-6a811547a7c3?utm_source=openai))\n     - To advance slides: Spacebar, N, Right Arrow or Page Down. To go back: P, Left Arrow or Page Up. ([sastltd.zohodesk.eu](https://sastltd.zohodesk.eu/portal/en/kb/articles/jaws-read-a-microsoft-powerpoint-presentation?utm_source=openai))\n\n3. **Reading Speaker Notes**\n   - If you\u2019ve added speaker notes, you can read them while in Presenter View using keystrokes (commonly `Ctrl + Shift + N` for notes). ([sastltd.zohodesk.eu](https://sastltd.zohodesk.eu/portal/en/kb/articles/jaws-read-a-microsoft-powerpoint-presentation?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \u26a0\ufe0f Common pitfalls & how to fix them\n\n| Problem | What to try |\n|---|-------------|\n| JAWS doesn\u2019t read any text when you hit F5 | Make sure Presenter View is enabled and you\u2019re not on the external monitor seeing only the slides. Also check that Virtual Cursor mode is active, so JAWS can navigate within the slide. |\n| Pressing F6 doesn\u2019t help | F6 toggles focus among panes. If you\u2019re in Slide Show view, F6 may not move focus into the slide content. Instead use arrows or specific navigation keys (Down Arrow, etc.). |\n| Presenter View displays on the external monitor instead of laptop | Swap the display assignments in PowerPoint\u2019s Slide Show \u2192 Monitor settings. ([lab.elessons.gr](https://lab.elessons.gr/mod/book/view.php?chapterid=2020&id=2714&utm_source=openai)) |\n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can walk you through step-by-step for *your specific system version* of PowerPoint (2016, 2019, Microsoft 365, etc.), since some shortcuts differ slightly. Do you want me to do that?"
    }
]