Immersive Reader is a free tool that implements proven techniques to improve reading and writing for people, regardless of their age or ability. Immersive Reader can improve reading comprehension and increase fluency for English language learners. It can help build confidence for emerging readers learning to read at higher levels, and offer text decoding solutions for students with learning differences such as dyslexia.
It is available in OneNote, Word, and the web version of Outlook. It is also available in Office Lens for iOS.
Immersive Reader is a useful addition to Microsoft word that can help improve both reading and
writing.
Immersive Reader can:
• Read the text out loud in a voice and speed that can be decided by the reader themselves
• Change the background colour the text appears on -This is particularly useful for those
students who use overlays or have work printed on different coloured paper.
• Highlight Verbs, nouns, adjectives and sub clauses
• Split words up by syllables to help students sound out the words themselves.
• Line focus- to allow students to see one, three or five lines at a time, like a reading ruler
• Using office 365, immersive reader will allow you to click on certain words and provide a
picture as a visual aid to help with understanding.
Immersive Reader will then change your document to this layout
Immersive Reader, included in OneNote Learning Tools, is a full screen reading experience to increase readability of content in OneNote documents. Learning Tools is designed to support students with dyslexia and dysgraphia in the classroom, but can support anyone who wants to make reading on their device easier.
For OneNote 2013 or 2016, open OneNote, then select Learning Tools > Immersive Reader.
For OneNote for Windows 10, Mac, or iPad, open OneNote, then select View > Immersive Reader.
For OneNote Online, go to OneNote.com, open a notebook, then select View > Immersive Reader.
- To hear the paragraphs read to you, select Play.
- To listen from a certain point on your page, select that word.
Immersive Reader has several options to make it easier for you to read text from OneNote.
Text options
The Text Options menu lets you:
Parts of speech
Parts of Speech controls grammar highlighting and helps readers understand complex sentences. Learn more: Highlight parts of speech.

Reading preferences

Line Focus enables readers to narrow the focus of their reading experience by highlighting sets of one, three, or five lines within their chosen material in Immersive Reader. Learn more: Turn on line focus
Currently this feature is only available in OneNote for Windows 10, OneNote Online, Word Online, and Outlook Online.

Picture Dictionary gives you the ability to click on any single word and have it read aloud.
Voice options
Control the voice speed and speaker with Voice Options. Learn more: Change the voice in Immersive Reader

Shortcut keys for Immersive Reader
Use keyboard shortcuts to navigate.
Up/Down arrow scrolls line by line
Page Up/Page Down scrolls screen by screen
Left/Right arrow goes to previous/next page in your OneNote Notebook
Esc key closes the reader or menu
Tab advances to the next control in Immersive Reader settings
Space selects the current tool
Get Immersive Reader
If you'd like to learn more and start using Immersive Reader, please use the links in the table below.
![]() | OneNote Online learn more OneNote Universal App OneNote Desktop as a free add-in learn more IT Admin deployment? Click here for more information. |
![]() | Word Online learn more Word Desktop learn more |
![]() | Outlook on the Web learn more |
![]() | Office Lens for iPhone and iPad (iOS) learn more |