GeoGebra Calculator Suite is designed with accessibility in mind! With support for screen readers and keyboard-only navigation, we meet WCAG 2.2 AA and are working towards AAA where possible. Accessibility is an ongoing effort, and we continually improve the experience across our apps.
On this page, you will find information on the following accessibility topics:
Screen Readers
For the best experience, we recommend using one of the following setups:
Chrome browser with NVDA or JAWS
Safari or Chrome browser with VoiceOver
💡 To make sure you hear exactly what you type, set your screen reader to announce every character:
NVDA: Preferences → Settings → Keyboard → ☑ Speak typed characters
Jaws: Utilities → Settings Center → Typing Echo → ☑ Characters
VoiceOver: Utility → Verbosity → Text → While typing speak: Characters
Braille Support
When using GeoGebra Calculator Suite with a Braille display, switch the Algebra View to Linear Notation mode using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+D. The shortcut switches the Algebra View through the modes: Value, Description, Definition, Linear Notation.
Linear Notation mode is optimized for reading and editing algebra input with Braille displays. In this mode, the syntax auto-complete (i.e. automatic brackets) is disabled to make sure you have full control over what you enter.
💡 Note: In Graphing Calculator, labels are added to all rows automatically, unless you enter labels yourself. The labeling follows a simple convention: Numbers and numeric calculations are labeled alphabetically with lowercase letters, starting with a. Points are labeled alphabetically with uppercase letters, starting with A. Functions are labeled alphabetically with lowercase letters, starting with f. To enter labels yourself, start a new algebra input like this: a = 3+5, A = (1,1), or f(x) = x+1.
Keyboard Navigation
💡 Use TAB and SHIFT+TAB as your main navigation keys. The arrow keys are reserved for moving objects in the 2D coordinate plane, moving the coordinate plane, and changing values. Cycling through menu items still works using the arrow keys.
| Windows / Mac OS | Action |
| TAB | Navigate the Calculator, select next object |
| SHIFT+TAB | Navigate the Calculator backwards, select previous object |
| SPACE | Press buttons, open / close menus, toggle menu items. When a number (slider) is selected, space starts / stops the animation of the slider. |
| ENTER | Edit objects, confirm input |
| Arrows |
Increase and decrease the value of sliders, move points and other objects up and down, left and right. Inside menus: cycle through menu items |
| CTRL+Arrows | Navigate within Algebra row to access: definition, value, fraction toggle (when available), menu button |
| Win: ALT+Arrows Mac: ALT+SHIFT+Arrows |
x10 speed multiplier Increase and decrease values, move objects 10 times faster |
| SHIFT+Arrows | x0.1 speed multiplier Increase and decrease values, move objects 10 times slower |
| PLUS or MINUS | Move points along paths |
| MENU key or SHIFT+F10 | Open context menus |
| BACKSPACE or DELETE | Delete selected object |
| CTRL+A, then DELETE | Delete all objects (to clear calculator) |
| ESCAPE | Leave the Calculator |
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Windows / Mac OS | Action |
| CTRL+SHIFT+A | Show / Hide Algebra View |
| CTRL+SHIFT+1 | Show / Hide Graphics View |
| CTRL+SHIFT+U | Show / Hide Table View |
| CTRL+SHIFT+S | Show / Hide Spreadsheet View |
| CTRL+SHIFT+P | Show / Hide Distribution View (in Probability Calculator) |
| CTRL+D | Switch Value / Description / Definition / Linear Notation mode in Algebra View |
| / | Show / Hide selected object |
| CTRL+Z | Undo Note: Works only if Undo / Redo is enabled in App configuration. |
| CTRL+Y or CTRL+SHIFT+Z |
Redo Note: Works only if Undo / Redo is enabled in App configuration. |
| CTRL+MINUS | Zoom out Note: Works only if Zoom is enabled in App configuration. |
| CTRL+PLUS | Zoom in Note: Works only if Zoom is enabled in App configuration. |
| F3 | Copy definition of selected object to the Input Bar |
| F4 | Copy value of selected object to the Input Bar |
| F5 | Copy name of selected object to the Input Bar |
💡 The shortcut F4 can be used to read, copy or reuse the output of a calculation. Type F4 to copy the value to the input bar, then CTRL+A to select the complete output, and CTRL+C to copy. Now you can easily paste the output in linear notation into other apps like Word or Google Doc.
Algebra Input
💡 All functions available on the on-screen keyboard can be easily accessed using your physical keyboard. Enter your number, calculation, function, or equation into the Input Bar and press ENTER to confirm.
GeoGebra Input Bar
Simple Input
Try the following examples and experience a smooth and user-friendly input behavior:
| Input | Result |
| 2 | Creates the number 2. You can choose Create slider from the context menu so that you can change this number easily. |
| 3 + 5 | Calculates 3 + 5 and outputs 8. |
| 1 / 4 | Creates the fraction \(\frac{1}{4}\). |
| x^2 | Creates the quadratic function \(x^2\) and shows it in the Graphics View. |
All your inputs are labeled automatically. If you prefer, you can also enter labels yourself:
| Input | Result |
| a = 2 | Creates the number 2 and assigns it to the variable a. |
| f(x) = x^2 | Creates the quadratic function \(x^2\) and assigns it to the function name f(x). |
You can use these labels to re-use values and functions associated with them:
| Input | Result |
| f + b | Outputs \(x^2 + 8\), and adds a new label g(x). |
💡 Press ENTER on your keyboard to edit an existing row in the Algebra View.
Advanced Input
When typing more advanced expressions using exponents, fractions or similar, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Brackets and Expressions
GeoGebra has a syntax help, which adds invisible brackets in the background. The cursor stays within an expression until the expression is closed by typing a bracket or pressing the RIGHT ARROW key. The syntax help also adds a closing bracket automatically when an opening bracket is typed.
Press the RIGHT ARROW key to move the cursor out of the exponent or fraction and back in line. Here are some examples:
| Typed Input | Interpretation | Note |
| x ^ 2 + 1 | \(x^{2+1}\) | Cursor stays in the exponent. |
| x ^ 2 <Right Arrow> + 1 | \(x^2+1\) | Pressing the RIGHT ARROW key moves the cursor out of the exponent. |
| 1 / 4 + x | \(\frac{1}{4+x}\) | Cursor stays in the denominator. |
| 1 / 4 <Right Arrow> + x | \(\frac{1}{4}+x\) | Pressing the RIGHT ARROW key moves the cursor out of the denominator. |
💡 The syntax help is disabled in Linear Notation mode so that you have full control over your input.
💡 You can also use the right bracket to get out of an exponent, fraction or similar.
Spaces and Multiplications
GeoGebra interprets spaces as multiplications. That's why in some cases it makes a difference if you add a space to your expression, especially if you paste it into GeoGebra. Here are some examples:
| Pasted Input | Interpretation | Note |
| 1/8*pi | (1/8)*pi | GeoGebra follows the order of operations, which means pi is not part of the denominator. |
| 1/8 pi | (1/8)*pi | GeoGebra interprets the space before pi as a multiplication, which results in the same input as above. |
| 1/8pi | 1/(8*pi) | Without space or multiplication, GeoGebra interprets 8pi as a single expression and therefore puts pi into the denominator. |
Copy & Paste
Use brackets deliberately when copy & pasting expressions into the Input Bar. GeoGebra interprets pasted input as linear notation without syntax help. Here are some examples:
| Pasted Input | Interpretation |
| 2^(3/4) | \(2^{3/4}\) |
| 2^3/4 | \(\frac{2^3}{4}\) |
| sqrt 4^2+9 |
\(\sqrt{4^2}+9\) |
| sqrt(4^2+9) | \(\sqrt{4^2+9}\) |
| sin pi-1/8pi | \(\sin(\pi)-\frac{1}{8\pi}\) |
| sin(pi-1/8pi) | \(\sin(\pi - \frac{1}{8\pi})\) |
Special Characters
| Input | Character |
| Win: ALT + a / b / d / … Mac: OPTION + a / b / d / … |
Greek letters α, β, δ, … |
| e | Euler ℯ |
| i | Imaginary unit i |
| pi | Pi π |
| inf | Infinity ∞ |
Symbols
| Input | Character |
| ^ | Superscript, to the power of |
| _ | Subscript |
| / | Fraction |
| != | Not-equal-to ≠ |
| <= | Less-than-or-equal-to ≤ |
| >= | Greater-than-or-equal-to ≥ |
| == | Is-equal-to ≟ |
| && | Logical AND |
| || | Logical OR |
| ! | Logical NOT |
Functions
| Input | Function |
| sqrt(x) | Square-root (√) of x |
| nroot(x,n) | Nth Root of x |
| abs(x) | Absolute value of x |
| sin(x) | Sine of x |
| cos(x) | Cosine of x |
| tan(x) | Tangent of x |
| ln(x) | Natural logarithm of x |
| log(x) | Logarithm of x |
| log(b,x) | Logarithm with base b of x |
| floor(x) | Floor function of x |
| ceil(x) | Ceiling function of x |
Tools and Commands
In GeoGebra Math Apps, every Tool has a corresponding Command that creates the exact same object, providing flexibility in how you interact with the app. Essentially, Tools are visual representations of mathematical Commands.
To use Commands, simply start typing your desired action into the Input Bar. GeoGebra Commands are intuitive and typically named according to their mathematical function. Once you type three letters, the automatic command help appears, guiding you to the correct Command and its parameters.
Note: The command help is not fully accessible yet, but improvements are underway. Meanwhile, you can find a comprehensive list of commands, including syntax help, in the GeoGebra Manual.
Try the following examples to get started with Commands:
| Type | Function |
| Roots(f) | Roots of function f |
| Extremum(f) | Extremum of function f |
| Derivative(f) | Derivative of function f (CAS Calculator) |
| Integral(f) | Integral of function f |
| Intersect(f,g) | Intersection point(s) of functions f and g |
| Line(A,B) | Line through points A and B |
Feedback
Accessibility is important to us! We know there's always room for improvement, and your feedback is important to us. Please contact us at accessibility@geogebra.org with any accessibility related questions or comments to help us provide the best possible experience for everyone. For any other questions please visit the GeoGebra Forum.
A special thank-you to Visio for sharing their accessibility expertise with us. Their thoughtful guidance has helped us make meaningful improvements as we continue working toward more inclusive experiences for all users.