How to Use the Line Focus on Any Website

Learn how to use line focus on any website. Highlight one line at a time for better reading Support accessibility for everyone. Learn how to use Helperbird's Line Focus feature to highlight one line of text while dimming everything else. This helps you concentrate on reading without distractions.

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What is Line Focus?

Line Focus (also called Focus Ruler) creates a spotlight effect on the line you are reading. It dims everything on the page except for one strip of text, making it much easier to concentrate.

Think of it like shining a flashlight on just one line while the rest of the page fades into the background. This helps reduce visual clutter and keeps your attention on the text you are reading.


Who is This For?

This feature is helpful for:

  • People with dyslexia who get distracted by surrounding text
  • Anyone with ADHD or attention difficulties
  • People who find busy web pages overwhelming
  • Students who need to focus while studying
  • Anyone who wants to reduce visual distractions while reading

Step 1: Open Helperbird

Click the Helperbird icon in your browser toolbar. It looks like a small owl and is usually in the top-right corner of your browser.

This will open the Helperbird menu.


Step 2: Open the All Features Section

Scroll down to the bottom of the Helperbird menu. You will see a section called All Features.

Click the arrow next to All Features to expand it and show all available features.


Step 3: Find Dyslexia Support

Look through the list of features until you see Dyslexia support.

It has a purple icon with a brain symbol on it.


Step 4: Open Dyslexia Support

Click on Dyslexia support to open it.

A panel will appear with three toggles — Dyslexia ruler, Focus ruler, and Reading guide — with a Settings section below them.

The Focus ruler toggle is the one you need for Line Focus.


Step 5: Turn on Line Focus

In the panel, look for Focus ruler (also called Line Focus).

Click the toggle switch next to it to turn it on. The toggle will turn green when it is enabled.

The page will immediately dim except for a strip of text where you can focus.


Step 6: Customize the Focus

To adjust how the line focus looks, scroll to the Settings section below the toggles in the same panel.

Here you can change the size, color, and opacity of the focus area.


Focus Settings

In the Settings section, you can customize the following:

  • Height – Adjust how tall the focused reading area is. Make it taller to see more lines or shorter to focus on just one line.

  • Color – Choose the color of the dimmed area around your focus strip. Darker colors create more contrast.

  • Opacity – Adjust how dark the dimmed area is. Higher opacity makes the surrounding area darker.

Tip: For the best reading experience, use a dark mask color with a higher opacity. The focus area follows your mouse automatically, creating a spotlight effect as you read down the page.


Video Tutorial


Need Additional Help?

If you have any questions or run into any issues, please contact the Helperbird support team. You can reach us at Helperbird support. We are happy to help you get the most out of Helperbird.

What People Are Saying

Join over 1,000,000 people who use Helperbird every day.

Insightful functionality. Well done.

David Linde

David Linde

Helperbird user

It's easy to use with every webpage since it's just an extension. You can access lots of different functions to declutter a page (show only the relevant text and not ads, for example). You can add post it notes to annotate, and it has things like text-to-speech.

Harmony M.

Harmony M.

Program Manager

Helperbird is one of the most helpful tools I've ever used. It has so many great features that not many other apps or software have. The free version can be installed and stay forever on your browser. Other companies don't always give you access for free or give access for free forever. When you do get access to the Pro version or other paid plans, you expand your opportunity to read and stay focused better. One of the other great things about Helperbird is their support service. They have a video for every single feature that you can use. They are simple and helpful videos that make the learning process a lot easier. In addition, they have great live chat support. They are super nice and helpful. They always encourage people to give suggestions on how to improve Helperbird. Why is this important? It shows they really care about people with disabilities or people in general.

Alex R

Alex R

Helperbird user

I have to admit, I have tried several other similar products which were awful. Helperbird is truly amazing! The font changes, colours, overlays, notes, text to speech and I love the 50 natural languages! 100% worth updating.

Ciarán Hyland

Ciarán Hyland

Helperbird user

love it! I want it on Word and on all my applications now...

Vernon Dickey

Vernon Dickey

Helperbird user

It works Amazing!

A Google User

A Google User

Helperbird user

Helperbird logo: Stylized owl with large yellow eyes and a beige face, against a green background.

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