First-time keyboard guide
Use this short routine before following the Google Forms Manual procedures. It explains exactly how the keyboard directions in this manual work.
Press a single key
- Find the named key without pressing it if possible.
- Press and release the key one time. Do not hold it unless the step specifically says to hold it.
- Stop and listen to the full screen-reader announcement before pressing another key.
Press a keyboard combination
- When a command contains a plus sign, such as Ctrl+S, hold down the first key.
- While continuing to hold the first key, press and release the final key once.
- Release the first key. The plus sign is not a key and should not be pressed.
- Listen for the expected result described in the procedure. If nothing changes, verify that the correct application or webpage has focus and try the command once more.
Press a sequence of keys
- When keys are separated by commas or the word “then,” press and release them in order instead of holding them together.
- After each key, listen for a menu, tab, control, or new screen before continuing.
- If the announcement does not match the step, press Escape once to close the current menu or dialog and restart that procedure.
Know which navigation key to try
- Tab and Shift+Tab: move forward and backward among buttons, links, fields, and other controls.
- Arrow keys: move inside menus, lists, groups of choices, text, and many screen-reader reading views.
- Enter: opens the selected item or activates the focused command.
- Space: activates many buttons and checks or clears checkboxes. In a text field, Space types a space.
- Escape: cancels or closes the current menu, list, or dialog without intentionally accepting a change.
Verify before moving on
- Listen for the window, page, or application name so you know where focus is.
- Perform only one numbered step.
- Compare what the screen reader announces with the “What should happen” information in the procedure.
- If the result is wrong, stop. Use the procedure’s recovery directions, Escape to cancel, or Ctrl+Z to undo when that command is supported.
- Continue only after you can identify the result. Save completed work with Ctrl+S whenever the application supports saving.
First complete independent workflow
This rehearsal joins existing procedures into one uninterrupted session without repeating their directions. Follow the linked procedure when a step names it, then return here for the next verification.
Safety check: Confirm the active account, workspace, audience, and privacy level before entering, uploading, sharing, or sending information.
- Open Google Forms Manual and wait until its name, starting screen, or connected-device status is announced.
- Choose a fictional, public, disposable, or instructor-provided practice item. Do not use private client, student, medical, financial, or account-recovery information.
- Open 2.1 Create a Blank Form. Read its “What you will learn,” “Before you begin,” keyboard-command, and expected-result information before pressing anything.
- Complete that procedure one numbered action at a time. After each key, stop and identify what changed before continuing.
- State the result aloud or record it in a practice note. If it differs from “What should happen,” use that procedure’s recovery directions before advancing.
- Continue directly to 5.1 Insert a Question without closing the application or device session. First confirm that focus, account, file, book, conversation, or project context is still correct.
- Complete the second procedure and verify the resulting name, state, location, permission, value, or content. Do not rely only on a success sound.
- Save or synchronize when the product supports it. Wait for the completed state before disconnecting a device, closing a browser, or switching accounts.
- Continue to 9.1 Add a Section. Use the exact command listed there; if the command varies by model or version, use Keyboard Help, the product’s shortcut list, or the linked official reference instead of guessing.
- Introduce one harmless recoverable error, such as opening the wrong menu or moving focus away. Press Escape once, identify the active window or device area, and return to the correct step.
- Review the finished practice item from its beginning. Confirm its title or filename, structure, content, destination, sharing state, and saved or synchronized status as applicable.
- Close and reopen the item or return to it from the product’s main screen. The workflow is complete only when you can locate it and verify the same result independently.
Success standard: Complete all three linked tasks, explain the commands used, recover from the practice error, and locate the finished result without another person directing the next key.
How to Use This Manual
Create a disposable practice form first.
Use Tab/Shift+Tab and Forms shortcuts while editing.
JAWS: Virtual Cursor off; NVDA: Browse Mode off; VoiceOver: use direct interaction as needed.
Press Ctrl+/ to open the current shortcut panel.
Preview the form as a respondent before publishing it.
Part 1 - What Google Forms Is
Create surveys, registrations, questionnaires, and quizzes.
Responses can be viewed in Forms or linked to Google Sheets.
Forms can contain questions, sections, titles/descriptions, images, and videos.
Published forms expose question titles and sections as headings for easier screen-reader navigation.
Part 2 - Open/Create a Form
2.1 Create a Blank Form
What you will learn: Open a new form.
Keyboard command: Press Ctrl+L or Alt+D (Command+L on Mac), type forms.new, and press Enter. Use Tab/Shift+Tab to move through editor controls and edit fields.
Before you begin: Sign in to the intended Google account.
Exactly how to do it
- Press Ctrl+L or Alt+D.
- Type forms.new.
- Press Enter.
- Wait for the editor.
- Move through top controls with Tab.
- Find the form title field and enter a descriptive title.
What should happen: A blank form opens and is saved automatically.
If that does not happen: If another Google account opens, switch before adding private questions.
Practice: Create a form named Accessibility Practice Survey.
Part 3 - Screen Reader Setup
| Task | Command / Method |
|---|---|
| JAWS | Press JAWS+Z until Virtual Cursor is off while editing the Form application. |
| NVDA | Press NVDA+Space to turn Browse Mode off while editing. |
| VoiceOver | Interact with editor controls; use standard form/edit-field navigation and direct interaction. |
| Shortcut panel | Ctrl+/ on Windows/ChromeOS; Command+/ on Mac. |
Published form: When taking/previewing a published form, screen-reader heading navigation is useful because titles, sections, and questions are exposed as headings.
Part 4 - Editor Interface
Questions tab: question construction.
Responses tab: submitted data.
Settings tab: collection, presentation, quiz, and response options.
Top controls: theme, preview, publish/send, More.
Focused question/item editor: title field, type selector, options, required toggle, item actions.
Settings shortcut: Current Forms documentation lists Ctrl+E on Windows/ChromeOS and Command+E on Mac to move focus to the Settings tab.
Part 5 - Add Questions
5.1 Insert a Question
What you will learn: Add a new question by keyboard.
Keyboard command: From a non-edit field in the Forms editor, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter (Command+Shift+Enter on Mac) to insert a question. Use Tab/Shift+Tab through question title, type, options, and Required controls.
Before you begin: Focus a non-edit field in the editor.
Exactly how to do it
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
- Move to the question-title edit field.
- Type the question.
- Move to the question-type control.
- Choose a type.
- Add answer options when required.
- Set Required if appropriate.
What should happen: A new question is added to the form.
If that does not happen: If Ctrl+Shift+Enter inserts a browser action, ensure focus is inside Forms and screen-reader browse mode is off.
Practice: Create three questions.
Part 6 - Question Types
Short answer: brief text.
Paragraph: longer text.
Multiple choice: one option.
Checkboxes: multiple options.
Dropdown: one selection from a compact list.
File upload: respondents upload files; account/organization restrictions apply.
Linear scale: rating scale.
Multiple-choice grid / checkbox grid: matrix questions; use carefully for accessibility.
Date and Time: structured date/time input.
Accessibility: Simple question types are usually easier to complete than complex grids. Use a series of ordinary multiple-choice questions when a grid does not add real value.
Part 7 - Required Questions and Validation
Use Required only when the answer is genuinely necessary.
Response validation can enforce number/text/length patterns.
Explain the required format in the question or description; do not rely only on an error after submission.
Part 8 - Titles, Descriptions, Images, and Video
| Task | Command / Method |
|---|---|
| Insert title/description | Ctrl then I then H sequence in current shortcut list |
| Insert image | Ctrl then I then P |
| Insert video | Ctrl then I then V |
Accessible media: Do not make an image/video the only source of essential instructions. Provide equivalent text/captions/transcript when needed.
Part 9 - Sections and Branching
9.1 Add a Section
What you will learn: Split a long form into manageable groups.
Keyboard command: From a non-edit field, hold Ctrl and press I then B (Mac: hold Command and press I then B). Use Tab/Shift+Tab to the section title/description fields.
Before you begin: Focus a non-edit field.
Exactly how to do it
- From a non-edit field, hold Ctrl and press I, then B. On Mac, hold Command and press I, then B.
- Type a descriptive section title.
- Add a short description if useful.
- Move related questions into that section.
What should happen: Respondents encounter a clearly named section break.
If that does not happen: If the form becomes too fragmented, combine small sections.
Practice: Create two sections with meaningful titles.
Branching: Forms can route respondents to sections based on certain question answers. Test every path before publishing so no user reaches a dead end.
Part 10 - Move, Duplicate, and Delete Items
| Task | Command / Method |
|---|---|
| Move item up | Ctrl+Shift+K |
| Move item down | Ctrl+Shift+J |
| Duplicate focused item | Ctrl+Shift+D |
| Delete item | Alt+Shift+D |
Safety: Duplicate before experimenting with a complex item; delete only after reading the focused question title.
Part 11 - Settings
Collect email addresses when appropriate and permitted.
Limit to one response only when account sign-in is appropriate.
Control whether respondents can edit after submitting.
Set presentation/confirmation message.
Quiz settings add points, answer keys, feedback, and grade-release choices.
Part 12 - Preview and Publish
| Task | Command / Method |
|---|---|
| Preview | Ctrl+Shift+P |
| Publish | Ctrl+Enter |
12.1 Preview Like a Respondent
What you will learn: Test accessibility before publishing.
Keyboard command: From a non-edit field, press Ctrl+Shift+P (Command+Shift+P on Mac). In the published preview, use your screen reader heading command to move question-by-question and Tab/Shift+Tab through answer controls.
Before you begin: The draft has several questions.
Exactly how to do it
- Press Ctrl+Shift+P.
- In the preview, switch your screen reader back to normal webpage reading if needed.
- Navigate by headings through the form.
- Complete every question type.
- Trigger one validation error intentionally.
- Submit only if using a disposable form.
What should happen: You experience the form the way respondents do.
If that does not happen: If headings or labels are unclear, return to the editor and rewrite them.
Practice: Preview every form before publishing.
Part 13 - Share a Form
Publish/Send controls can create a responder link, email distribution, or embedding options depending on current interface.
Use descriptive link text when sharing by email/document.
Check whether sign-in or domain restrictions prevent intended respondents from accessing the form.
Part 14 - Responses
Responses tab shows Summary, Question, and Individual views where available.
Stop accepting responses when the collection period ends.
Do not publish response summaries when answers contain private information.
Part 15 - Link Responses to Sheets
15.1 Create Response Spreadsheet
What you will learn: Analyze responses in Google Sheets.
Keyboard command: From a non-edit field, press Ctrl+E (Command+E on Mac) to move to the tab area, then use Left/Right Arrow to reach Responses. Use Tab/Shift+Tab to the Link to Sheets/Create spreadsheet control and press Enter.
Before you begin: At least one response exists or the form is ready to collect.
Exactly how to do it
- From a non-edit field, press Ctrl+E (Command+E on Mac), then use Left/Right Arrow to move to Responses.
- Press Tab/Shift+Tab until Link to Sheets/Create spreadsheet is announced, then press Enter.
- Choose a new or existing spreadsheet.
- Confirm.
- Open the linked Sheet and review headers.
What should happen: Each response becomes structured spreadsheet data.
If that does not happen: Changing question structure after data collection can complicate the response sheet; document changes.
Practice: Link a disposable practice form.
Part 16 - Quizzes and Grading
Turn on Make this a quiz in Settings.
Set answer keys and point values.
Use current grading shortcuts such as Ctrl+Shift+C for correct and Ctrl+Shift+I for incorrect where supported.
Provide written feedback, not only a score, when explanation helps.
Test accommodations and locked-mode requirements before high-stakes assessment.
Part 17 - Accessible Form Design
Use short, descriptive form and section titles.
Write one clear question per prompt.
Place instructions before the question they govern.
Avoid color-only instructions.
Avoid complex grids unless necessary.
Explain format expectations for dates, IDs, numbers, or file uploads.
Use accessible linked documents/media.
Preview with a screen reader before publishing.
Part 18 - Screen Reader Workflows
JAWS: Virtual Cursor off in editor; on in published preview for heading navigation.
NVDA: Focus Mode in editor; Browse Mode in published form.
VoiceOver: direct interaction in editor; heading navigation in published form.
Part 19 - Braille and Mobile
Braille follows the active screen reader; test labels, option selection, edit fields, and routing.
Mobile can be used to complete Forms; desktop is usually easier for building complex forms.
Test forms on at least one mobile screen reader when the audience will use phones.
Part 20 - Security and Privacy
Collect only data you genuinely need.
Explain why sensitive information is requested.
Use organization-approved accounts for student/client/employee data.
Review who can edit the form and who can view response spreadsheets.
File-upload questions can collect sensitive documents; use them only with clear authorization.
Part 21 - Troubleshooting
Editor shortcuts do not work
- Move focus out of question-title edit fields when the shortcut requires a non-edit field.
- Turn off JAWS/NVDA browse mode.
- Press Ctrl+/ to confirm current command.
Published form is hard to navigate
- Add descriptive sections.
- Rewrite question labels.
- Avoid grids.
- Test heading navigation.
Respondent cannot open form
- Check publishing status.
- Check sign-in/domain restrictions.
- Check link.
Response sheet is confusing
- Review form question order.
- Use clear question titles.
- Avoid frequently renaming questions after collection begins.
Part 22 - Independent Practice Course
☐ Create form.
☐ Add five question types.
☐ Make one required.
☐ Add validation.
☐ Add section.
☐ Move/duplicate question.
☐ Preview.
☐ Publish/share safely.
☐ Submit practice response.
☐ Review Responses.
☐ Link to Sheets.
☐ Create a quiz question.
☐ Audit accessibility.
Part 23 - Quick Reference and Resources
| Task | Command / Method |
|---|---|
| Shortcut list | Ctrl+/ |
| Insert question | Ctrl+Shift+Enter |
| Move up/down | Ctrl+Shift+K / Ctrl+Shift+J |
| Duplicate | Ctrl+Shift+D |
| Delete | Alt+Shift+D |
| Preview | Ctrl+Shift+P |
| Publish | Ctrl+Enter |
| Settings tab | Ctrl+E |
Use Google Forms with a screen reader
Keyboard shortcuts for Google Forms