Spoken content feature not reading highlighted section (PDF)

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Level 1

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Spoken content feature not reading highlighted section (PDF)

I have been trying to get the "spoken content" feature working and I am having difficulties using it while in a PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader. No matter where I highlight, it will always starts from the beginning of the page.

Spoken content works fine in other applications. Starts where it's highlighted but won't cooperate with a PDF.

I know there is a "read out loud" feature in Adobe as well, but it is doing the same thing. I was hoping apple's would function correctly.

I do keep my computer up to date with software. Right now I am using Big Sur version 11.1

Posted on Jan 25, 2021 2:35 PM

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Answer 1

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ivan54

Level 4

2,858 points

Jan 26, 2021 9:34 AM in response to SeanT1000

Howdy,

I downloaded Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and tested. It looks like the standard speech options I get with macOS Preview and TextEdit are not available with Acrobat Reader.

This is Preview, Edit > Speech

And TextEdit, Edit > Speech

They both will speak a selection of text and stop when done.

Acrobat Reader, under the Edit menu has Accessibility which allows you to Change Reading Options…

Acrobat Reader's speech commands are under View > Read Out Loud, where you can activate speech then read pages or to the end of the document.

I don't see a generic "Start Speaking" and "Stop Speaking" like with Preview and TextEdit. (Or a "Speak Selection").

So if you want just a Selection of Text spoken in a PDF you may want to use Preview.

ivan

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Answer 2

SeanT1000 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 26, 2021 12:18 PM in response to ivan54

Thank you. I didn't think to open it in preview. Both the "speech" function in preview works and the "spoken content" function also works (opt + esc).

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Spoken content feature not reading highlighted section (PDF)

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