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MacSword Quick Start for VoiceOver – Volume 002

by | Aug 29, 2025 | Mac with Voiceover | 0 comments

For Version 1.2.1B
(Instructions may vary slightly with other versions.)

You can download MacSword from: www.MacSword.com

Using the Bible, Strong’s Numbers, Commentaries, and Search

Text size can be increased for low-vision users under Options in the menus.

MacSword is a great Bible study program, but VoiceOver users need to make a few adjustments to use it effectively on the Mac. These instructions cover setup and basic operations.

VoiceOver Terms

  1. VO keys = Control + Option keys used with another key.

  2. Interact = VO + Shift + Down Arrow (to interact with text or a screen area).

  3. Stop interacting = VO + Shift + Up Arrow.

Opening MacSword

  • If MacSword is already on your Dock:
    Press VO + D to go to the Dock. Arrow right until you hear “MacSword,” then press Enter to open.

  • If MacSword is not on your Dock:

    1. In Finder, press Command–Shift–A to open Applications.

    2. Type “MacSword” until you hear it spoken.

    3. Press Command–O to open the MacSword folder.

    4. Switch to List View with Command–2 (easier navigation).

    5. Find MacSword.app and press Command–O to open it.

Adding MacSword to the Dock

  1. With MacSword open, press VO + D to move to the Dock.

  2. Arrow left or right (without VO keys) until you hear “MacSword running.”

  3. Down arrow until you hear “Keep in Dock” and press Enter.
    MacSword will now remain in your Dock for future use.

Initial Setup

  1. Open the menu with Control–Option–M or Control–F2.

  2. Arrow right to MacSword, then down to Preferences… and press Enter.

  3. Interact and move to the Interface tab (Tab 2). Select it with Spacebar.

  4. Tab to Use tool tips for references and uncheck the box with Spacebar.

    • If left checked, VoiceOver will frequently say “MacSword busy.”

  5. Close Preferences with Command–W.

Using MacSword

When you open MacSword, the first thing you’ll hear is “MacSword modules.”

  • Use VO + Up/Down Arrow to navigate Bible translations or commentaries.

  • Select one by pressing VO + Shift + Spacebar twice quickly.

Note: In some versions you may hear “Outline.” If so, interact with the screen before proceeding.

Opening a Passage

  1. Once you’ve selected a translation, you’ll hear something like “KJV window.”

  2. Cursor down to “Edit text containing about.” Press Spacebar to delete the text.

  3. Type your reference (e.g., John 3:16) and press Enter.

  4. Cursor down to “HTML content” and interact.

  5. Read the passage using VO + Down Arrow.

Exploring Menus

  • Open the menu system with VO + M or Control–F2.

  • Use arrow keys to explore features such as Strong’s Numbers.

Enabling Strong’s Numbers

  1. Go to Options > Strong’s Numbers.

  2. Check the box with Spacebar.

  3. Return to your passage—Strong’s numbers will now appear in the text.

  4. Press Enter on a number to open details in a new window.

    • Navigate with arrow keys (you may need VO keys + arrows).

  5. When finished, return to Options and uncheck Strong’s Numbers.

Useful Commands

  • Next Chapter: Command–Right Arrow

  • Previous Chapter: Command–Left Arrow

  • Next Book/Entry: Command–Down Arrow

  • Previous Book/Entry: Command–Up Arrow

Using Commentaries

  1. Open the Window Chooser with VO + F2 (twice quickly).

  2. Cursor down to Modules and press Enter.

  3. Select a commentary with VO + Shift + Spacebar (twice quickly).

  4. Cursor down to “HTML content,” interact, and read with VO keys.

To switch between multiple open windows (e.g., Bible and commentaries), press Command–Accent (`) (key just below Escape).

Searching for a Word or Phrase

  1. Press Command–F to open the Find window.

    • If you’ve searched before, VoiceOver may land on the last search results table. Tab to the “Edit text containing” field.

  2. Delete any existing text with Spacebar and type your search term.

  3. Tab through available search options (buttons and checkboxes).

  4. When ready, Tab or Shift–Tab to Find and press Enter.

    • Searches run quickly but do not announce when complete.

  5. Tab to Table to review results with arrow keys (use VO + Arrows if needed).

  6. To open a verse in context, position on the verse and press VO + Shift + Spacebar (twice quickly).

Closing Thoughts

Hopefully, this quick start will help you begin using MacSword. I’m still learning much about this program—and even more about God’s Word. Let’s learn together.

In Christ’s service,
Keith Reedy, Director
Bibles for the Blind and Visually Handicapped International
www.biblesfortheblind.org

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