How to Set Word Reading Order for Screen Reader Compatibility in Sections

Screen readers like JAWS and Narrator read document content in the order it appears in the underlying code, not the visual layout. When you place text boxes, images, or shapes in a document, the reading order may skip or misplace content, confusing users who rely on assistive technology. This article explains how to set and verify reading order in Word for each section so that screen readers present content in the correct sequence. You will learn how to use the Selection Pane, the Accessibility Checker, and the Read Aloud tool to ensure every section reads logically from top to bottom.

Understanding Reading Order in Word Documents

Screen readers interpret content in the order it appears in the document object model, which is the order objects were inserted. In Word, floating objects such as text boxes, shapes, images, and SmartArt are placed in a z-order stack. The screen reader reads these objects in the reverse order of the stack: the object on the bottom layer is read first, and the object on the top layer is read last. Main body text is always read before any floating objects, regardless of visual position. This means if you place a text box visually above the body text, the screen reader may read the body text first, causing confusion.

Sections in Word can have different layouts, headers, footers, and floating objects. Each section must be checked independently because the reading order does not carry over between sections. The Selection Pane shows all objects on the current section’s canvas. Objects that are anchored to a different section do not appear in the current section’s Selection Pane. Therefore, you must verify reading order in every section that contains floating objects.

Prerequisites for Setting Reading Order

Before you begin, ensure your document uses a logical visual layout. Place text boxes and images in the order you want them read. Avoid overlapping objects unless absolutely necessary, because overlapping can cause the screen reader to skip content. Use built-in heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) for section titles — screen readers use these for navigation. The Accessibility Checker also requires headings to be styled with built-in styles to identify structure issues.

Steps to Set Reading Order in Each Section

Follow these steps for every section that contains floating objects. If your document has multiple sections with different layouts, repeat the process for each section.

1. Open the Selection Pane
   Go to the Home tab. In the Editing group, click Select and then choose Selection Pane. The Selection Pane opens on the right side of the Word window. It lists every floating object on the current section in reverse reading order: the object at the bottom of the list is read first, and the object at the top is read last.
2. Verify the Current Reading Order
   Look at the list in the Selection Pane. The object that should be read first should be at the bottom of the list. For example, if a text box appears visually above an image, but the text box is listed above the image in the pane, the image will be read before the text box. This is incorrect if the text box contains the main content.
3. Reorder Objects by Dragging or Using Arrow Buttons
   In the Selection Pane, click an object name and drag it up or down in the list. Alternatively, use the up and down arrow buttons at the top of the pane to move the selected object. Move objects so that the first item to be read is at the bottom of the list, the second item is above it, and so on. The topmost object in the pane is read last.
4. Hide Nonessential Objects
   If an object is decorative and should be skipped by screen readers, click the eye icon next to its name in the Selection Pane. This hides the object from visual display and from screen readers. Do not hide objects that contain meaningful content.
5. Repeat for Each Section
   Scroll to the next section in your document. The Selection Pane updates to show only objects in that section. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for every section that has floating objects. If a section has no floating objects, the reading order is determined solely by the body text and headings, which are already in the correct order.
6. Run the Accessibility Checker
   Go to the Review tab and click Check Accessibility. The Accessibility Checker pane opens. Expand the Reading Order category. Any issues are listed with a description and a recommended fix. Click each issue to highlight the problematic object in the document. Use the Selection Pane to adjust the order as needed.
7. Test With Read Aloud
   Go to the Review tab and click Read Aloud. Word reads the document from the cursor position. Listen carefully to the order in which content is spoken. If the screen reader jumps between sections or skips content, return to the Selection Pane and reorder the objects. Stop Read Aloud by clicking the close button on the floating toolbar.

If Word Still Has Issues After the Main Fix

Screen Reader Reads Body Text Before a Floating Object That Should Come First

This happens because Word always reads body text before any floating objects. To force a floating object to be read first, you must move that content into the body text flow. For example, if a text box contains a title that should be read before the body text, delete the text box and type the title directly into the document using a heading style. Alternatively, anchor the floating object to a paragraph that appears before the body text. To anchor an object, right-click it, choose Wrap Text, and select one of the inline options such as In Line with Text. This places the object in the body text flow, where it is read in sequence.

Reading Order Changes After Adding or Moving Objects

Each time you add a new floating object, Word places it on top of the stack by default. This changes the reading order because the new object appears at the top of the Selection Pane list (read last). After inserting any object, open the Selection Pane and verify the order. If the object should be read earlier, move it down in the list. This is a common oversight when working with text boxes and images in sections with complex layouts.

Accessibility Checker Reports No Reading Order Issues but Read Aloud Still Reads Incorrectly

The Accessibility Checker only flags reading order issues when objects are in a different order than the visual layout. It does not check whether the order is logical for comprehension. For example, if you place two text boxes side by side, the checker may not flag them even if the screen reader reads the right box before the left box. Always test with Read Aloud to catch these logical ordering problems. Manually reorder the objects in the Selection Pane so that the left-to-right, top-to-bottom reading sequence is maintained.

Reading Order Behavior Across Word Versions

Item	Word for Microsoft 365	Word 2021 (perpetual)
Selection Pane location	Home > Select > Selection Pane	Home > Select > Selection Pane
Accessibility Checker version	Includes Reading Order category	Includes Reading Order category
Read Aloud availability	Available on Review tab	Available on Review tab
Object reordering method	Drag or arrow buttons in Selection Pane	Same
Section-specific object display	Selection Pane shows objects per section	Same

Both versions behave identically for reading order. If you use an older version such as Word 2019, the steps are the same, but the Accessibility Checker may have fewer categories. In that case, rely more on the Selection Pane and Read Aloud for verification.

You can now set reading order for every section in a Word document so that screen readers present content in the intended sequence. Use the Selection Pane to reorder floating objects, run the Accessibility Checker to catch flagged issues, and test with Read Aloud to confirm logical flow. For complex documents with multiple sections, check each section independently. As an advanced tip, create a keyboard shortcut for the Selection Pane by adding it to the Quick Access Toolbar — right-click any item on the ribbon and choose Add to Quick Access Toolbar to speed up repeated checks.