Brief summary

When reading Word math in a Word document, the speech experience is confusing because MathCAT is sometimes reading the entire expression and at other times, Word is reading its speech.

Note: this was transferred from #19598 (comment)

Steps to reproduce

I tried 2026.1 beta 3 and there are definitely some problems that didn't exist before. This is with all addons disabled.

To clearly tell when MathCAT is speaking or not, go to settings:Math:Beep at the beginning and end of math and make sure that is on.

In the attached word file, go to the last equation. It is in Word math format (as opposed to MathType math).
UIAorMSAA_Math.docx

• If you move into the expr from the left side using right arrow, you get Word's reading. Right arrow through the expr and it is all Word's reading.
• If you go to the end and move in from the right you hear Word "end expression". Move left again, you get MathCAT reading. Move left (or right) again and Word is back to reading it.
• If you move into the expr with up/down arrow, you get MathCAT reading. Arrow left/right and it is still MathCAT. Arrow again and Word reads it.
• If you are in fraction (Word will be reading at that point), up/down arrow triggers MathCAT. Left/right arrow gets MathCAT reading again, but the next left/right arrow is back to Word.

Word has been working on their math editor's accessibility, so it is entirely possible that Word has changed something, not NVDA. So maybe looking at what Word is reporting for the location might lead to the source of the bug.

Actual behavior

Explained above

Expected behavior

Explained above

NVDA logs, crash dumps and other attachments

No response

NVDA type

installed copy

NVDA version

2026.1 beta 3

Have you tried any other versions of NVDA? If so, please report their behaviors.

It use to work in 2025.3 with the MathCAT addon, but Word has been changing as has NVDA with MathCAT now builtin.

Update: I tried 2025.3 and it is broken there, so something changed in Word.

Windows version

Windows 11, 10.0.26200 build 26200

Name and version of other software in use when reproducing the issue

Microsoft® Word for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2602 Build 16.0.19725.20058) 64-bit

Other information about your system

No response

Does the issue still occur after restarting your computer?

I have restarted my computer and the issue still occurs

If NVDA add-ons are disabled, is your problem still occurring?

I have restarted NVDA with add-ons disabled and the issue still occurs

Does the issue still occur after you run the COM Registration Fixing Tool in NVDA's tools menu?

I have run the COM Registration Fixing Tool and the issue still occurs