[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "is%20there%20a%20way%20for%20all%20my%20jaws%20wsettings%20to%20be%20moved%20from%20jaws%202025%20to%20jaws%202026%20that%20only%20effect%20excel%20behavor"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Yes \u2014 there *is* a way to migrate your JAWS 2025 settings over to JAWS 2026 *in general* using the built-in export/import or migration features. But unfortunately, there\u2019s **no built-in option** specifically to migrate *only the Excel-related settings* while excluding everything else. You\u2019d either migrate all settings and then undo what you don\u2019t want, or use workarounds to try to isolate Excel behavior settings.\n\nHere\u2019s what I found and what might work, plus suggestions for how to approach isolating Excel settings.\n\n---\n\n### \u2705 What JAWS Supports by Default\n\n1. **Automatic settings migration**  \n   JAWS versions (including recent ones) will automatically bring forward custom user settings from the most recent version(s) when you upgrade. This includes voice profiles, speech & braille settings, scripts, dictionaries, labeled graphics, and any settings you\u2019ve customized for applications. ([freedomscientific.se](https://freedomscientific.se/news/view/vad-ar-nytt-i-jaws-2022/?utm_source=openai))  \n   \n   This migration typically kicks in the first time you start the new version, and is done quietly (without many dialogs) unless configured otherwise. ([freedomscientific.se](https://freedomscientific.se/news/view/vad-ar-nytt-i-jaws-2022/?utm_source=openai))\n\n2. **Export / Import via SBAK files**  \n   You can use the Utilities \u2192 Import/Export \u2192 Export in JAWS to create a backup file (with SBAK extension) of *all your settings* or selected settings. Then in the new version, import using the corresponding menu. ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/teachers/lessons/9.8_Transcript-ImportExport.htm?utm_source=openai))\n\n3. **Manual file-copy fallback**  \n   If the built-in tools don\u2019t work or don\u2019t include something you need, you can manually copy the relevant settings folder (usually under `C:\\Users\\<username>\\AppData\\Roaming\\Freedom Scientific\\JAWS\\<version>\\Settings`) from one version to the corresponding location of the new version. ([perkins.org](https://www.perkins.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Freedom-Scientific-SOPs.pdf?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n### \u26a0\ufe0f The Limitation: Only Excel Behavior Settings\n\nThe challenge is: JAWS doesn\u2019t structure its settings so that \u201cExcel behavior\u201d is clearly isolated. Excel-specific settings might be scattered among application-specific profiles, script customizations, verbosity, verbosity filters, keystroke behavior, etc. There\u2019s no standard selection in the export wizard for \u201cjust Excel.\u201d\n\nSo if you migrate **everything**, you\u2019ll also carry over settings for Word, Windows, web browsing, etc.\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udd27 Possible Strategies to Limit to Excel Settings\n\nHere are a few ways you might try to approximate moving only Excel-related behavior:\n\n1. **Selective export/import**  \n   In the export settings wizard, choose \u201cExport specified settings\u201d instead of *all*. Navigate the tree view and select only the application settings for Microsoft Excel \u2014 if they appear. Then import that SBAK into JAWS 2026. This might get you only those pieces. ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/teachers/lessons/9.8_Transcript-ImportExport.htm?utm_source=openai))\n\n2. **Use Excel profile or scripts only**  \n   If you\u2019ve made custom scripts or settings specific to Excel (e.g. script files under application scripts, or grammar/custom readability settings), you can export/import or copy only those script files.  \n   \n   Same for application profile files, if you know exactly which `.jcf` or `.jsb` (or similar) files correspond to Excel. Copy those to the new version.\n\n3. **After full migration, restore defaults for everything except Excel**  \n   If you migrate all settings, then in JAWS 2026 go into Options / Utilities or \u201cRestore to Factory Settings\u201d for applications except Excel. Then tweak Excel settings manually if something changed. This is more work but ensures Excel behavior stays while you reset others.\n\n4. **Backup voice profile / VBA or keystroke settings specifically**  \n   If your Excel behavior changes depend on keystroke remappings or VBA support or a script, try extracting just those bits and reinstate them in the new version.\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udca1 Suggested Step-by-Step Plan\n\nHere\u2019s a possible workflow to achieve your goal of \u201conly Excel specific behavior settings\u201d:\n\n1. Open JAWS 2025 \u2192 Export settings \u2192 select \u201cspecified settings.\u201d\n2. In the tree, look for \u201cApplication Settings,\u201d expand, select **Microsoft Excel** only. If available, select that (and any scripts tied to it).\n3. Save the SBAK file.\n4. Install or open JAWS 2026.\n5. With the backup ready, import that SBAK. Choose to \u201cmerge\u201d rather than overwrite all settings.\n6. Check Excel: test that the behavior is as expected.\n7. For other apps/settings, you can either leave them as defaults (if they\u2019re wrong) or reset them.\n\n---\n\nIf you want, I can try to find exactly which file names or settings correspond to Excel behavior in JAWS, so you can confidently migrate just those. Do you want me to dig those detailed file names for you?"
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "here%20is%20my%20issue%20in%20excel%20using%20jaws%202026%20in%20braille%20display%20does%20not%20show%20anything%20but%20in%20jaws%202025%20I%20can%20feel%20in%20braille%20what%20each%20cell%20does%20so%20I%20not%20sure%20where%20to%20go%20from%20here"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "I'm sorry you\u2019re having that issue with Excel in JAWS 2026. It\u2019s frustrating when things worked in one version (2025), but break in the next. Let's try to isolate what *changed* and find a way to fix or work around the braille output problem in Excel. Below are likely causes, steps you can try, and how to report or escalate if needed.\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udd0d What to Check First\n\nSince braille worked for individual cells in Excel under JAWS 2025 but shows nothing (or far less) in JAWS 2026, possible culprits include:\n\n- The **braille display connection or driver** changed \u2014 maybe a new mode (HID vs legacy), or JAWS isn\u2019t recognizing the device correctly in Excel.\n- A **JAWS application-specific setting or profile** for Excel has been altered (or reset) in 2026.\n- Braille verbosity or translation settings (e.g. \u201cstructured\u201d, \u201cline\u201d, \u201cactive follows braille\u201d, etc.) changed \u2014 maybe Excel is using a different verbosity profile or braille translation code.\n- Some **bug** or regression in JAWS 2026 specifically affecting Excel + braille.\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udd27 Things to Try\n\nHere are steps to work through to restore cell-by-cell braille output in Excel, or at least diagnose which part is failing:\n\n1. **Check Braille Basic Settings**\n\n   - Open JAWS main window (INSERT+J) \u2192 press Alt+O \u2192 signal to the **Braille** settings or **Braille Basic Settings**.  \n   - Make sure your braille display is listed and selected as the *default braille display*. If using USB or Bluetooth, make sure correct port and driver type (especially HID vs non-HID) are selected.  \n\n2. **Check Application-Specific Excel Profile**\n\n   - In JAWS\u2019s **Settings Center** (often INSERT+6 or via the menu), select \u201cApplications\u201d \u2192 choose *Microsoft Excel*.\n   - Look for any Braille-specific settings there (verbosity, whether application follows braille cursor, etc.). It\u2019s possible that in Excel these settings are set to suppress braille output (quiet mode or controls mode) by mistake.\n\n3. **Adjust Braille Display Mode / Verbosity**\n\n   - There are modes like **Structured**, **Line**, or **Speech Output Mode** (which may only show what speech would say) in settings. If it's set to Speech Output mode, you\u2019ll see very little on the braille display in some contexts. Switch to Structured or Line to see more cell\u2010by\u2010cell content.  \n\n   - Quick Settings (INSERT+V) is helpful. Search for \u201cbraille\u201d or \u201cverbosity\u201d and test toggling options.  \n\n4. **Compare with JAWS 2025 Settings**\n\n   - If you still have JAWS 2025 installed or a backup of your settings, open Excel in 2025 and note the setting values: which Braille mode was used, which \u201capplication-specific settings\u201d under Excel, etc.\n   - Export those settings for Excel (if possible) via SBAK or copy the Excel .jcf (application profile) file, then import or manually compare in 2026.\n\n5. **Check for Updates / Patch Notes**\n\n   - Sometimes there are known bugs fixed via updates. Check Freedom Scientific\u2019s site or the \u201cWhat\u2019s New\u201d or update release notes for JAWS 2026. If multiple people report \u201cExcel braille output blank,\u201d they may have addressed it in a patch.  \n\n6. **Experiment with Minimal Excel Document**\n\n   - Create a very simple Excel workbook (just one cell with simple text, maybe numeric). Move around between cells with arrow keys. Does any braille display output? If yes, then it might be workbook-specific or complex formatting causing problem. If no, then likely setting or profile issue.\n\n---\n\n### \u26a0\ufe0f Known Features & Issues to Be Aware Of\n\n- **Status Cells, Reading Line and Structured vs Line Mode**  \n  Braille displays often have *status cells* (usually leftmost or rightmost) which show status info rather than cell contents. If the reading line is narrow or status cells are enabled in certain position shifting, some content may not display as expected in Excel. ([freedomscientific.com](https://www.freedomscientific.com/content/downloads/focus/documentation/Focus40_80_Users_Guide.pdf?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **Unified English Braille (UEB) / Contracted / Computer Braille**  \n  If your settings changed, maybe the code or translation table used for braille input/output is now set to something that suppresses cell content in Excel. Check whether you\u2019re using Computer Braille, UEB, contracted or not. ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/teachers/lessons/8.2_Transcript-StartupWizardBrailleOptions.htm?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **HID Braille Support issues**  \n  As of JAWS 2025, there\u2019s support for HID Braille displays with both USB and Bluetooth, but the driver is still being improved, especially for advanced features like auto detection. If your display is HID-compatible and JAWS is using that mode, possibly some functionality (especially in Excel) isn\u2019t fully working. ([freedomscientific.se](https://freedomscientific.se/news/view/vad-ar-nytt-i-jaws-20251/?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n### \ud83d\udee0 Example of Settings to Check\n\nHere are specific settings/options you should find and verify:\n\n| Setting | What to Look For / Try |\n|---------|--------------------------|\n| Default Braille Display | Correct model selected; not disabled or disconnected. |\n| Display Mode (Structured vs Line vs Speech-Output) | Change between these modes to see if one shows cell contents vs suppresses. |\n| Application profile for Excel | Under Settings Center \u2192 Applications \u2192 Microsoft Excel: look for constructors / suppressions. |\n| Braille Grade / Translation Table | Computer Braille vs Grade-1 vs Grade-2 / UEB vs contracted. |\n| Status Cells & Reading Line positions | If status cells are covering or shifting reading line, may hide data. |\n| Quick Settings / Verbosity | Search \u201cExcel\u201d & \u201cbraille\u201d in quick settings to find any toggles. |\n\n---\n\n### \u2699 If It\u2019s a Bug (or No Settings Help)\n\nIf after trying all the above, braille still shows nothing in cells in Excel (while working elsewhere or in JAWS 2025), it might be a regression bug in JAWS 2026. In that case:\n\n- **Contact Freedom Scientific tech support**, describing exactly:  \n  \u2003 \u2022 Excel version + build  \n  \u2003 \u2022 Braille display model + connection type (USB / Bluetooth / HID)  \n  \u2003 \u2022 The settings you\u2019ve checked (especially display mode, Excel profile, etc.)  \n  \u2003 \u2022 Whether speech output still works (are you just missing braille or everything)  \n\n- **Check for updates / install the latest build of JAWS 2026** \u2014 sometimes a hotfix for just this kind of issue has been issued.  \n\n- **Provide sample files** if the behavior is file-dependent (maybe complex workbook structure).\n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can pull up the JAWS 2026 settings file (.jcf) for Excel (or find where those live) and see exactly what changed between 2025 and 2026 \u2014 that may let us track down the messed setting more quickly. Do you want me to get those file paths and examples?"
    }
]