Accessibility, Navigation, and Use of CommonLook PDF (Desktop and Advanced Editor)

CommonLook PDF is a completely accessible software that is intended for use by all audiences. The software allows individuals who are using assistive technology, such as a screen reader or Braille keyboard, to remediate PDF documents. There are certainly challenges associated with remediating with these limitations - a blind user, for example, would have difficulty remediating a complicated table layout because of their lack of vision, but technically not because of the CommonLook's inaccessibility. In a situation like this, it is not uncommon for a remediator using assistive technology to partner with a colleague who can help them understand the appearance of the document for things like reading order, tagging headings and lists, and verifying the accuracy of Alternative text. 

Shortcuts & Navigation

CommonLook has keyboard shortcuts for every single command within the platform. Everything from adding or removing tags to adjusting metadata can be done without ever using the mouse. These shortcuts include both simultaneous and sequential commands and allow a user to move throughout the CommonLook interface as needed. 

One of the most valuable navigation features in the desktop version is the Active Tool Window. By holding down the Control key and using the Tab key, a user can navigate to other panels within the interface. This allows remediators to quickly jump back and forth between document tags, bookmarks, or even verification results, and opens up complete navigation capabilities to all users.  

In the web-based version, navigate to the "hamburger" menu at the upper left corner, open it, and navigate to Windows.  In the sub-menu that opens, you'll be able to choose, and navigate to, various panels as needed. 

For a complete list of keyboard shortcuts available within CommonLook PDF, visit our Keyboard Shortcuts Knowledge Base Article.

The Quick Access Toolbar

In the desktop version, the Quick Access Toolbar is located at the top left corner of the screen.  In the web-based version, Undo and Redo are on the left side of the screen and Save and Exit are located on the right side of the screen.   Check out this page for the Quick Access Toolbar keyboard shortcuts.  (The numbers in the screenshot correspond with the listed items below, describing the purpose and/or function of each button.)

 Desktop version: 

1. Quick Save – Saves changes made to the document.
2. Save and Close – Saves the changes and closes CommonLook PDF.  It also compresses the file back down as sometimes the file size can get a little “inflated” during the remediation process.
3. Undo – Reverses the previous remediation step(s) up to the most recent save.
4. Redo – will redo remediation steps that have been incorrectly undone.

Web-based version:

1. Undo – Reverses the previous remediation step(s) up to the most recent save. 
2. Redo – Will redo remediation steps that have been incorrectly undone. 
3. Hide Ribbon - Collapses the ribbon.
4. Download file - Download your remediated PDF.
5. Save - Saves the changes to your document.
6. Exit - Exit the Editor and return to the Remediations screen. 

Toolbars and Ribbons

In the desktop version, as in most applications, use the Alt key, and then the corresponding letters (or numbers) on your keyboard, to navigate to the various tabs on the toolbar and the options in the ribbon for each tab. 

The Operations Tab

When content is selected (whether it's a tag, the contents of a tag, untagged content, etc.), the Operations tab will become available (in the desktop version, use Alt+O to navigate to it).  On the ribbon will be all of the options that you have available for the element that you selected. Note: These are the same options that are available by right-clicking or otherwise opening the context menu for the content that you've selected. 

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