Reading and editing Excel documents with Supernova/Hal
(Applies to: SuperNova Access Suite, SuperNova Screen Reader)
Chapter 1: Reading and editing Excel documents with Supernova/Hal
Reading and editing worksheets with Supernova/Hal couldn't be easier. As you navigate through the sheet, Supernova/Hal reads out loud the cell content, co-ordinates, if it contains a formula, if it has a border, if it is shaded in a colour, contains a comment and much much more.
Exactly what you are told is controlled by the speech verbosity level. The higher the verbosity level the more information you are told as you move between cells. You can adjust the speech verbosity level by pressing DOLPHIN KEY + EQUALS or if you are using a Braille display press LEFT SHIFT + DOLPHIN KEY + EQUALS to adjust the Braille output.
Tip
You can adjust existing verbosity schemes or even create your own personal schemes to ensure you get the output you want from Supernova/Hal. Supernova/Hal is completely customisable.
Do you want more information?
Besides adjusting the verbosity scheme, if you want to know more information about a cell, for example, what the formula or comment is within the cell then just press the "Additional focus information" hot key.
To read additional focus information:
Press LEFT SHIFT + NUMPAD 0.
And remember the other basic speak keys like read focus multikey (NUMPAD 0) that will read, spell and phonetically read the cell content. And, the "Where am i?" speak key (NUMPAD 7) that will tell you where you are including the title of your current work sheet.
To repeat your cell co-ordinates press the read heading hot key. This is NUMPAD 3. This is also a multikey that offers even more! The first press will read the cell co-ordinates. A second press will read the cell co-ordinates phonetically. Press it a third time and the row and column heading will be read. A fourth press will spell the row and column headings.
Note: a row and column heading is considered as a cell with bold text to the left and above the current focus.
Working with the Spell checker.
While using the Microsoft Excel spell checker you will find yourself positioned in the Suggestions list. This is where Microsoft Excel places the focus in the spell checker. You can navigate the spell checker using the TAB key and, like in Microsoft Word, there is a variety of shortcut keys defined in this dialog so once you become familiar with working in the Spell Checker selecting or rejecting options will soon become a single key press away.
To have Supernova/Hal read the shortcut key for a control, like a button, press LEFT SHIFT + NUMPAD DEL.
Getting information through the list utility.
There is a variety of application lists defined in Supernova/Hal that give you quick and easy access to data within your worksheet. The following application lists are available in Microsoft Excel.
List of objects:
Press LEFT SHIFT + DOLPHIN KEY + 1.
List of charts:
Press LEFT SHIFT + DOLPHIN KEY + 3.
List information about the active chart:
Press LEFT SHIFT + DOLPHIN KEY + 4.
List of visible cells with a formula:
Press LEFT SHIFT + DOLPHIN KEY + 5.
List of visible cells with content / data:
Press LEFT SHIFT + DOLPHIN KEY + 6.
List of visible cells with comments:
Press LEFT SHIFT + DOLPHIN KEY + 7.
List of sheets:
Press LEFT SHIFT + DOLPHIN KEY + 8.
And don't forget the default list of links (DOLPHIN KEY + 1) that can also be used in Microsoft Excel.
Note: The information about the active chart is only available when a chart has the focus. You can use the list of charts to set the focus onto the chart.
Microsoft Excel hot keys
Here are a few Microsoft Excel hot keys to help you get started but remember a review of the Microsoft Excel help will prove rewarding if working regularly in this application.
| Function | Hot key |
| Insert a new worksheet | Alt + Shift + F1 |
| Move to the next sheet in the workbook | Control + Page Down |
| Move to the previous sheet in the workbook | Control + Page Up |
| Move one cell up, down, left, or right | Cursor Keys |
| Move to the edge of the current data region | Control + Cursor Key |
| Move to the beginning of the row | Home |
| Move to the beginning of the worksheet | Control + Home |
| Move to the last cell on the worksheet, in the bottom-most used row of the rightmost used column | Control + End |
| Move one screen down | Page Down |
| Move one screen up | Page Up |
| Move one screen to the right | Alt + Page Down |
| Move one screen to the left | Alt + Page Up |
| Display the Go to dialog box | F5 |
| Display the Find dialog box | Shift + F5 |
| Repeat the last Find action (same as Find Next) | Shift + F4 |
| Activate auto sum | Alt + Equals |
| Edit the active cell | F2 |
And Don't forget that access to the Supernova/Hal application notes is only a hot key away - RIGHT CONTROL + RIGHT SHIFT + SLASH. The application notes provides you with a summary of all the main Supernova/Hal commands available in this application.
