Quick Tip: Exploring the Grouping Behavior Options for VoiceOver Navigation on macOS

In this podcast, Tyler discusses and demonstrates the Grouping Behavior options available for VoiceOver on macOS. These allow you to choose whether VoiceOver requires an action to interact with items in a content area (such as a scroll area) or a group (such as a toolbar):

The four available options are:

1. Standard: VoiceOver requires an action. You must press VO-Shift-Down Arrow to start interacting with the items in an area or group, and VO-Shift-Up Arrow to stop interacting with the items. When this option is selected, VoiceOver may automatically interact with some groups on web pages to streamline navigation. If you don’t want VoiceOver to automatically interact with a group, press VO-Shift-Right Arrow or Left Arrow. If Quick Nav is on, press Shift-Right Arrow or Left Arrow.
2. Bookend groups: VoiceOver identifies the start and end of an area or group as you navigate its items, but no action is required to interact with them.
3. Announce groups: VoiceOver announces when you enter or exit an area or group, but no action is required to interact with its items.
4. Ignore groups: VoiceOver doesn’t identify or announce areas or groups, and no action is required to interact with its items.

Note: Some areas (such as tables) always require interaction, regardless of the setting you choose. This prevents you from having to navigate potentially large numbers of items, such as thousands of items in a Mail inbox.