How to Enable and Use Keyboard Shortcuts in Helperbird

Learn about Helperbird keyboard shortcuts. Speed up your accessibility workflow with quick keys Support accessibility for everyone.

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What are Keyboard Shortcuts?

Keyboard shortcuts let you quickly activate Helperbird features by pressing key combinations instead of opening the menu and clicking. For example, you could press a few keys to instantly start text-to-speech or turn on Reading Mode.

Shortcuts are disabled by default because some websites have their own keyboard shortcuts that might conflict with Helperbird's.


Who is This For?

This feature is helpful for:

  • People who want faster access to features
  • Anyone who prefers using the keyboard over the mouse
  • Power users who use Helperbird features frequently
  • People with motor difficulties who find keyboard navigation easier
  • Anyone who wants to be more efficient

Step 1: Open Helperbird

Click the Helperbird icon in your browser toolbar. It looks like a small owl and is usually in the top-right corner of your browser.

This will open the Helperbird menu.


Step 2: Open the Options Menu

Click the gear icon in the top-left corner of the Helperbird menu.

This will open the Options panel with various settings and options.


Step 3: Enable Shortcuts

In the Options panel, look for Shortcuts with a toggle switch next to it.

Click the toggle switch to turn it on. The toggle will turn green when it is enabled.

You can now use keyboard combinations to quickly access Helperbird features.


Step 4: View All Shortcuts

To see all available keyboard shortcuts, click on Shortcuts in the Options panel.

A Keyboard shortcuts panel will appear showing all available shortcuts. Each shortcut shows the feature name and its key combination.

Important: On Mac, shortcuts use Option (⌥) + key. On Windows and Linux, shortcuts use Alt + Shift + key.


All Keyboard Shortcuts

Here is the complete list of every keyboard shortcut available in Helperbird.

FeatureMacWindows / Linux
General
Turn Helperbird On/OffOption + .Alt + Shift + .
Notes & Annotations
Create a Sticky NoteOption + SAlt + Shift + S
Reading
Reader ModeOption + RAlt + Shift + R
Immersive ReaderOption + IAlt + Shift + I
Auto ScrollOption + AAlt + Shift + A
Colors & Tints
Overlay TintOption + OAlt + Shift + O
Text ColorOption + TAlt + Shift + T
Link ColorOption + LAlt + Shift + L
Background ColorOption + BAlt + Shift + B
Paragraph BackgroundOption + GAlt + Shift + G
Text & Paragraphs
Paragraph WidthOption + XAlt + Shift + X
Paragraph ColumnsOption + YAlt + Shift + Y
Highlight ParagraphsOption + ZAlt + Shift + Z
Word SpacingOption + FAlt + Shift + F
Font SizeOption + UAlt + Shift + U
Text AlignmentOption + JAlt + Shift + J
Line HeightOption + KAlt + Shift + K
Letter SpacingOption + QAlt + Shift + Q
Custom FontOption + NAlt + Shift + N
Text Stroke (Emphasize)Option + 5Alt + Shift + 5
Images & Visuals
Magnifier (Zoom)Option + 1Alt + Shift + 1
Tooltip DescriptionsOption + 2Alt + Shift + 2
Hide ImagesOption + 3Alt + Shift + 3
Hide GIFsOption + 4Alt + Shift + 4
Saturation ControlOption + 6Alt + Shift + 6
Accessibility
High Contrast ModeOption + 7Alt + Shift + 7
Dark ReaderOption + DAlt + Shift + D
Emphasize LinksOption + 8Alt + Shift + 8
Cursor SizeOption + 9Alt + Shift + 9
Spell CheckOption + 0Alt + Shift + 0
Reduce MotionOption + MAlt + Shift + M
Dyslexia RulerOption + DAlt + Shift + D
Tools
Extract TextOption + EAlt + Shift + E
TranslateOption + CAlt + Shift + C
ScreenshotOption + VAlt + Shift + V

Tip: Start by learning a few shortcuts for the features you use most often. You can always view this list inside Helperbird by clicking Shortcuts in the Options panel.


Video Tutorial


Need Additional Help?

If you have any questions or run into any issues, please contact the Helperbird support team. You can reach us at Helperbird support. We are happy to help you get the most out of Helperbird.

What People Are Saying

Join over 1,000,000 people who use Helperbird every day.

It's a great tool! Really simple to use and works as described.

shivashree vysali

shivashree vysali

Helperbird user

I have to admit, I have tried several other similar products which were awful. Helperbird is truly amazing! The font changes, colours, overlays, notes, text to speech and I love the 50 natural languages! 100% worth updating.

Ciarán Hyland

Ciarán Hyland

Helperbird user

This extension has been an absolute lifesaver. I have that fantastic combo of ADHD and Dyslexia while trying to go through college. I have difficulty keeping letters in order, seeing the gaps between words, and with ADHD on top, I lose focus A LOT. The immersive reader has been my new best friend. It drowns out the rest of the content on the page, changes the font to something I can read, and highlights the word as it reads to me. My eyes are forced to keep going in the right direction. I can slow down and pay attention to what I'm reading. I don't even have to go back and read the same paragraph 5 times to understand it! The screen overlay has been outstanding for eye strain and being able to distinguish between words and spaces. The custom font and spacing for research articles have been an enormous advantage! I can actually read the research papers now and not have this daunting 2 column fine print page to squint over.All around, this has been the best purchase I've ever had. I use this every day, with every assignment. I don't even struggle with story-based questions anymore. The immersive reader helps me read, listen, and understand the question all at once. I am still exploring what I can use this with and how it can make my academic career, and I keep getting impressed with every new way I find to use it. Seriously, try it out. You won't regret it at all. Even if you don't have dyslexia or ADHD, just try it out. You might find that it helps you understand the content you're trying to learn even better!

Mason Hunter

Mason Hunter

Helperbird user

This tool helps so many of our students at school - not only those students who have dyslexia, but students and adults who have other learning differences (and those who don't!). It helps ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in their learning!

Kim Norris

Kim Norris

Helperbird user

I am very happy with this application has been very helpful for my studying I recommend this application for the people that have concentration problems like me!

Nuria E Rivera R

Nuria E Rivera R

Helperbird user

I purchased this for my daughter who has been having a lot of difficulty accessing the online work set remotely by her teachers during our National Lockdown because of Covid-19. Her dyslexia was really hindering her ability to complete tasks and keep up which in turn led to increased anxiety levels...a really horrid place to be in during a global pandemic! Helper bird has been a vast help and I fully recommend it and wish more schools knew about it. Thank You Helper Bird.

Michelle Howard-Price

Michelle Howard-Price

Assistive technology specialist

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