Michel Coornaert
Strasbourg, France

VoiceOver 10.12

Using VisioVoice with VoiceOver Mac OS 10.12 Sierra


VisioVoice is an application distributed by AssistiveWare which includes in particular a PDF document reader compatible with VoiceOver. PDF documents can also be read by VoiceOver with Quick Look (see Using Finder), Preview (see Using Preview), or TeXshop (see Using Texshop). One of the advantages of VisioVoice for reading PDF documents is that it includes rewind and fast forward buttons.
  • To open a file located in the current folder:
    Go to the Menu bar by pressing Ctrl + Opt + m, then
    Go to "File" with the Right Arrow, then
    Go to "Open..." with the Down Arrow, then
    Press Ctrl + Opt + Spacebar, then
    Select the file by using the Up and Down Arrows, then
    Press the Return key.

  • To open a file that is not contained in the current folder:
    Go to the Menu bar by pressing Ctrl + Opt + m, then
    Go to "File" with the Right Arrow, then
    Go to "Open..." with the Down Arrow, then
    Press Ctrl + Opt + Spacebar, then
    Press a few times Ctrl + Opt + Right Arrow until hearing the name of the current folder (if this has not already been done, check the radio button "column mode"), then
    Select a parent folder of the wanted file by using the Up and Down Arrows, then
    Press Ctrl + Opt + Spacebar, then
    Press a few times Ctrl + Opt + Right Arrow until hearing "File browser", then
    Interact by pressing Ctrl + Opt + Shift + Down Arrow, then
    Move by using Ctrl + Opt + one of the Arrows to select the file, then
    Press the Return key.

  • To open a PDF file from Finder:
    Select the file in Finder (see Using Finder), then
    Go to the Menu Bar by pressing Ctrl + Opt + m, then
    Go to the menu "File" with the Right arrow, then
    Go to the submenu "Open With" with the Down Arrow, then
    Press the Right Arrow, then
    Select "VisioVoice" with the Down Arrow, then
    Press Ctrl + Opt + Spacebar.

  • To start (or continue) reading:
    Go to the Play button by using ctrl + Opt + Left or Right Arrows, then
    Press Ctrl + Opt + Spacebar.

  • To pause reading:
    Go to the Pause button by using ctrl + Opt + Left or Right Arrows, then
    Press Ctrl + Opt + Spacebar.

  • To rewind:
    Go to the Rewind button by using ctrl + Opt + Left or Right Arrows, then
    Press Ctrl + Opt + Spacebar.

  • To fast forward:
    Go to the Fast Forward button by using ctrl + Opt + Left or Right Arrows, then
    Press Ctrl + Opt + Spacebar.

  • To change VisioVoice voice:
    Go to the Menu bar by pressing Ctrl + Opt + m, then
    Go to "Voice" with the Right Arrow, then
    Select the new voice by moving with the Up and Down Arrows, then
    Press Ctrl + Opt + Spacebar.

  • To record a PDF document as a AIFF audio file:
    Open the PDF file, then
    Go to the Menu bar by pressing Ctrl + Opt + m, then
    Go to "File" with the Right Arrow, then
    Go to "Export to Audio File . . ." with the Down Arrow, then
    Press Ctrl + Opt + Spacebar, then
    Type the name that you want to give to the audio file, then
    Press the Return key (VisioVoice indicates the progression of the export process).
    Remark: the AIFF file may be converted in a MP3 file by using iTunes.


  • Some shortcuts:
    To open a file: Cmd + o
    To quit VisioVoice: Cmd + q

  • VoiceOver Commands

  • To hear the version of VisioVoice on your computer:
    Go to the Menu bar by pressing Ctrl + Opt + m, then
    Go to "VisioVoice" with the Right Arrow, then
    Go to "About VisioVoice" with the Down Arrow, then
    Press Ctrl + Opt + Spacebar.

  • VisioVoice Version: 1.2.3


  • Please send me your questions or suggestions by e-mail



  • Last Update: August 13, 2017