How do I edit the message bar properties (i.e. hide it or make it non-selectable) within CoreWord?

A "message bar" is a window, usually at the top of the screen, where your message will populate as you press buttons on the device.  Message bars are programmed into most vocabulary files as they allow the user to see which words they have typed as they string messages together.

In some cases, it may be appropriate to hide the message bar or make it "non-selectable."  This article will describe how to complete both processes.

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Making the Message Bar "Non-Selectable"

Making the message bar non-selectable means that if the user selects the message bar, it will not speak.  This can be useful for users employing switch scanning who may want the visual support of seeing their message populate in the window but do not want to worry about accidentally selecting the message window before they are ready to speak.

1. Select "Menu" in the upper left corner of the screen and select "Edit" from the dropdown menu.  

   

2. You are now in "Edit Mode," and the "Edit Menu" should be visible on the right side of the screen.

   

3. Select the "Message Bar."

   

4. In the "Edit Menu" on the right side of the screen, select the "Selectable" button under "Properties."

   

5. The "Selectable" button will now be grey and there will be a small x and mouse symbol in the lower right corner of the message bar.

   

6. Next, refer back to the "Edit Menu" and select "dynamic B."

   

7. Your screen should now look like this:

   

8. The message bar is already "non-selectable."  

   Note:  If the speaker will just be speaking using one button at a time (i.e. they press a button and that button speaks), you may want to "hide" the speak button This can be completed by selecting the "speak" button and then selecting "Visible" under the "Properties" section of the "Edit Menu."  Once hidden, you will see a red "x" over the speak button

   Once you are finished editing this page, press the left single arrow button at the bottom of the screen to go back one page.  

   

9. Your screen should now look like this:

   

10. Make the message bar "non-selectable" by following the same steps you used in steps 3-5 above.  Once complete, your screen should look like this:

    

11. At the bottom of the screen, press the left double arrow button to return to the main page:

    

12. Press the green checkmark in the lower right corner of the "Edit Menu."

    

13. Press the floppy disk save button in the upper left corner of the screen to save your changes. 

    

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Hiding the Message Bar

Hiding the message bar means that it will not be visible to the user at all.  In this case, you will likely also want to hide the buttons that control the message bar (i.e. clear, speak message, etc.).  

1. Select "Menu" in the upper left corner of the screen and select "Edit" from the dropdown menu.  

   

2. You are now in "Edit Mode," and the "Edit Menu" should be visible on the right side of the screen.

   

3. Select the "Message Bar."

   

4. In the "Edit Menu" on the right side of the screen, select the "Visible" button under "Properties."

   

5. The "Visible" button will now be grey and there should be a red "X" over the "message bar."

   

6. Next, refer back to the "Edit Menu" and select "dynamic B."

   

7. Your screen should now look like this:

   

8. You will be hiding all 4 buttons at the top of the screen.  Select each button, and then select the "Visible" button in the "Edit Menu" on the right side of the screen.  Repeat this for all 4 buttons.

   Note:  You may want to leave the "Pause eye tracking button" visible if the user is using eye gaze as their access method.

   

9. Once you have hidden all 4 buttons, your screen should look like this:

   

10. At the bottom of the screen, press the left single arrow to go back one page.

    

11. Your screen should now look like this:

    

12. Hide both buttons at the top of the screen, following the process you used in Step 8.  Once complete, your screen should look like this:

    

13. At the bottom of the screen, press the left double arrow button to return to the main page:

    

14. Press the green checkmark in the lower right corner of the "Edit Menu."

    

15. Your screen should now look like this:

    

16. Press the floppy disk save button in the upper left corner of the screen to save your changes. 

    

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