[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "as%20a%20screen%20reader%20user%20of%20microsoft%20teams%2C%20how%20do%20i%20add%20a%20participant%20to%20a%20chat%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s how to add a participant to a Microsoft Teams **chat** using a screen reader (e.g. Narrator, NVDA, JAWS) on the **Windows desktop or Teams web app**. If you're using Mac, mobile, or want a specific screen reader, I can share those steps too\u2014just let me know.\n\n---\n\n## \u2705 Before you start: What helps\n\n- Have the Teams window open and focused (click into it or Alt+Tab to it).\n- Know the **chat** you want to add someone to\u2014this method works for **group chats**, not one-on-one chats (those can\u2019t convert into group chats by adding participants). ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/teams/chat/chat-with-others-in-microsoft-teams?utm_source=openai))\n- Be prepared to type names or email addresses (for internal or external users, depending on your org settings). ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4430166/how-to-add-participants-to-an-existing-group-chat?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\udd01 Step-by-step on Windows (with keyboard + screen reader)\n\n1. **Go to Chat view**  \n   Press `Ctrl + 2` to open the Chat tab. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/teams/use-a-screen-reader-to-chat-in-microsoft-teams?utm_source=openai))\n\n2. **Find the group chat**  \n   Use the Up/Down arrow keys to move through your list of recent chats. Stop when you reach the group chat to which you want to add someone. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/teams/use-a-screen-reader-to-chat-in-microsoft-teams?utm_source=openai))\n\n3. **Open the chat**  \n   Press `Enter` to focus into that chat. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/teams/use-a-screen-reader-to-chat-in-microsoft-teams?utm_source=openai))\n\n4. **Find the \u201cView/add participants\u201d button**  \n   - Press `Ctrl + Shift + A` might take you to the \u201cAdd participants\u201d control, if available. *This shortcut doesn\u2019t always exist* in all versions.  \n   - More reliably: Tab key repeatedly until you hear something like \u201cView and add participants,\u201d \u201cMembers,\u201d or \u201cAdd people\u201d in the chat header. Screen readers will announce those. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/teams/chat/chat-with-others-in-microsoft-teams?utm_source=openai))\n\n5. **Enter the person\u2019s name/email**  \n   Once you're in the Add Participants or Add People dialog:\n   - Start typing the name or email of the person.  \n   - Use arrow keys to choose from autocomplete suggestions.  \n   - Press `Enter` to select. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/teams/chat/chat-with-others-in-microsoft-teams?utm_source=openai))\n\n6. **Choose chat history visibility** (optional, for group chat)  \n   You'll be asked whether to include past messages (chat history). Use Tab to navigate between options and Spacebar or Enter to choose. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/teams/chat/chat-with-others-in-microsoft-teams?utm_source=openai))\n\n7. **Confirm adding**  \n   Tab to the \u201cAdd\u201d button or \u201cDone,\u201d then press `Enter` to add the participant(s). Screen reader will confirm they\u2019re added. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/teams/chat/chat-with-others-in-microsoft-teams?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \u26a0\ufe0f What *you can\u2019t* do in this context\n\n- You **can\u2019t** add someone external (outside your organization) to a group chat if there aren't already external participants. Teams may force you to start a new group chat instead. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4430166/how-to-add-participants-to-an-existing-group-chat?utm_source=openai))\n- One-on-one chats can\u2019t be converted into group chats by just adding another person\u2014you\u2019ll create a new group chat instead. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/teams/chat/chat-with-others-in-microsoft-teams?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\nIf you tell me which screen reader you're using (Narrator, JAWS, NVDA), or whether you're on Mac or mobile, I can give you step-by-step instructions tuned to your setup."
    }
]