Invisible Dialog Boxes in OS X

By Ali Kazi, 25 March, 2015

Forum
macOS and Mac Apps

Hi all,

I regularly get this issue and couldn't find an answer online. Sometimes, VoiceOver will display a message saying, "1 system dialogue displayed." For a sighted person these dialogue boxes appear to be in the foreground, but when I command tab I can't find them. The only way to close them is with sighted assistance. How do I get VO to access these dialogues?

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Comments

By mehgcap on Thursday, April 2, 2015 - 20:11

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

The way to do this is through the Application Chooser. Hit vo-f1 twice (you can hold the vo keys and just hit f1 twice). This will put you in a list of open apps, the first item of which should be "system dialogs". Right arrow to open that, and there you'll find any dialogs that are currently displayed.

By Ali Kazi on Thursday, April 2, 2015 - 20:11

Thanks a lot. Worked like a charm!

By KE7ZUM on Thursday, April 2, 2015 - 20:11

Actually when I teach the mac I teach an easier way

  1. hit vo f2 twice. This will bring up the window chooser.
  2. When you find the system dialog just hit enter.

No need to use the application chooser. In fact I have not used it for about 5 years.

By Smiling Sunshine on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 - 20:11

This was driving me crazy. I'm so glad I thought to look here for the answer.

By Joseph on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 - 20:11

I use the VO F2 method a lot. Aren't keyboard commands wonderful when they work?

By Igna Triay on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 - 20:11

I use the trackpad. Not that I don't use the keyboard lol, but I am more used to the trackpad.

By Joseph on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 - 20:11

yeah, I'll use the trackpad sometimes. Either way works for me. :)