Enhancing Accessibility

Excel 2010 and all other Microsoft Office 2010 programs support the Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA) specification. This makes various accessibility aids more effective, including screen readers and screen enlargers. For more information, visit the Microsoft Accessibility Web site at www.microsoft.com/enable/.

The following is a list of built-in features that, either by design or by default, enhance the accessibility of Excel:

The Accessibility Checker New in Excel 2010 is the most visible accessibility feature yet. It appears on the Info screen in Backstage view, and Microsoft calls it the Accessibility Checker. Click the File tab, Info, click the Check For Issues button, and then click Check Accessibility to display the task pane shown in Figure 3-24. This task pane lists all the problematic items identified by the Accessibility Checker in the active workbook; click any item to display an explanation, as shown in Figure 3-24.
Figure 3-24. The Accessibility Checker lists all the issues found in the current workbook.
ScreenTips These are the little descriptive labels that appear under toolbar buttons and ribbon controls when you rest the pointer on them. Select one of three display options from the ScreenTip Style drop-down list in the General category in the Excel Options dialog box. For more information, see Exploring Other Toolbar and Ribbon Options on page 102.
Visceral feedback The Advanced category in the Excel Options dialog box contains two options in the General group: Provide Feedback With Animation and Provide Feedback With Sound. Using these options, when you insert rows or columns, instead of simply appearing, they appear with a flourish, and you hear sounds where you might not expect them, such as when you click the Undo or Redo button. Note that if you select the sound option, you might be prompted to download an add-in from the Microsoft Office Web site that requires that you to exit and restart Excel.
Function ScreenTips This is a type of pop-up label that displays the syntax and arguments for functions as they are entered or selected on the formula bar or in cells. Select the Show Function ScreenTips check box in the Advanced category of the Excel Options dialog box in the Display group. For more information, see Chapter 13.
Cell value AutoComplete When entering data in a column, the AutoComplete feature automatically inserts entries in the same column that match the current entry. This option saves keystrokes, for example, when you are repeatedly typing the same entry. In the Advanced category in the Excel Options dialog box, select the Enable AutoComplete For Cell Values check box in the Editing Options group. For more information, see Letting Excel Help with Typing Chores on page 249.
Gridline color You can change the color of gridlines on individual worksheets. Under Display Options For This Worksheet in the Advanced category in the Excel Options dialog box, click the Gridline Color drop-down list, and then choose a color.
Colored sheet tabs You can apply color to a single worksheet tab to make it easier to find a key worksheet, or you can assign different colors to each tab. Right-click the worksheet tab you want to color, point to Tab Color, and then click the color you want from the palette.
Keyboard shortcuts Keyboard shortcuts give you access to any command in Excel using the keyboard. For more information, see Appendix B.
Scroll and pan If you have a Microsoft IntelliMouse pointing device, you can scroll through a worksheet simply by turning the wheel in the direction you want to scroll. If you press the wheel and drag the mouse, you can pan the worksheet in any direction.
Zoom You can enlarge the worksheet display up to 400 percent by using the Zoom slider in the lower-right corner of the Excel window, by using the Zoom commands on the View tab on the ribbon, or by holding down Ctrl and turning the wheel on a Microsoft IntelliMouse pointing device.