Use Immersive Reader in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and OneNote - WindowsTips.net - Windows Tips and Tricks with Geek

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Use Immersive Reader in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and OneNote

 Immersive Reader Three Lines in Word on the Web

Enable Immersive Reader

To open the tool in Word, Outlook, and OneNote, head to the View tab and click “Immersive Reader.”

On the View tab, click Immersive Reader

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To open it in an Outlook email window, select the Message tab, and click “Immersive Reader.”

On the Message tab, click Immersive Reader

This displays the application window in a focused view. You can then customize Immersive Reader for text preferences, grammar options, and reading preferences.

Customize Immersive Reader

The key to using Immersive Reader is the way you customize it to fit your needs.

Although Immersive Reader offers the same basic features across applications, the interface for the settings currently varies. So depending on the application and version you’re using, you’ll see one of two interfaces.

Immersive Reader in the Word Desktop Application

In the desktop version of Word on Windows, the Immersive Reader tool has its own ribbon. This places all your settings in one handy spot.

Starting on the left side, you have the following customization options on the desktop:

Column Width: Choose from four views for Very Narrow, Narrow, Moderate, and Wide.

Column Width Settings in Immersive Reader

Page Color: Pick a page background color from over a dozen options or select “More Colors” for a custom color.

Page Color Settings in Immersive Reader

Line Focus: Use One Line, Three Lines, Five Lines, or None. This highlights the number of lines you select for your focus while dimming the remaining parts of the page.

Line Focus Settings in Immersive Reader

Text Spacing: This option is simply on or off. Click “Text Spacing” to see more room around the letters and words. Click again to go back to normal view.

Text Spacing in Immersive Reader

Syllables: This setting is also an on or off option. When you click “Syllables,” you’ll see your words broken down by syllable. This offers help with pronunciation as you read each word.

Syllables in Immersive Reader

Read Aloud: If you want to hear the document read out loud to you, click “Read Aloud.” You’ll not only hear the words but see them highlighted at the same time. When the toolbar opens, click the gear icon to open the settings. You can then adjust the reading speed and voice used. Then, use the play, pause, next, or previous buttons as needed.

Read Aloud in Immersive Reader

When you finish using the tool, you can click “Close Immersive Reader” in the ribbon and return to your previous document view.

Click Close Immersive Reader

Immersive Reader in Word on the Web

In the online version of Word, Immersive Reader immediately changes your page into a large, more spacious view. You have similar customizations options, but these appear on the top right as three icons.

Immersive Reader in Word on the Web

Starting on the left side, you have the following customization options on the web:

Text Preferences: You can adjust the size of the text, spacing between letters and words, font style, and theme (background color), all in one place.

Text Preferences in Immersive Reader

Grammar Options: This area gives you simple toggles for syllables and parts of speech. If you enable a toggle for one or more parts of speech, you can select the color. You also have the option to turn on Labels, which places an abbreviation for the part of speech above the word.

Grammar Options in Immersive Reader

Reading Preferences: Like Word on the desktop, you can choose a Line Focus from one, three, or five lines. Here, you can also enable the Picture Dictionary and use the Translate feature with support for dozens of languages.

Reading Preferences in Immersive Reader

Read Aloud: Different than the desktop version, the Read Aloud feature is available on the screen at all times. Click the Play button to hear your document read to you and pause anytime. You’ll also see each word highlighted as you hear it. Click the Voice Settings icon to adjust the speed and voice selection.

Read Aloud in Immersive Reader

As you read your document with Immersive Reader, you can click a word to hear it read out loud or see images if you enable Picture Dictionary (above). Using the arrow on the top right, you can put the page in full-screen mode.

Picture Dictionary in Immersive Reader

When you finish using the tool, click the arrow on the top left. You’ll then return to your previous document view.

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