How to Dictate on Word

This wikiHow teaches you how to use speech recognition on your computer to write a Microsoft Word document.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Windows

  1. Image titled Dictate on Word Step 1
    1
    Press ⊞ Win+S to open the Search box.
  2. Image titled Dictate on Word Step 2
    2
    Type speech recognition. A list of matching results will appear.
    • This may be called “voice recognition” on some systems. The behavior will be the same.
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    Click Speech Recognition. This opens the Speech Recognition control panel.
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    Click Start Speech Recognition. If you’ve already set up Speech Recognition, you’ll see the voice recognition panel at the top of the screen. This means you’re ready to get started.
    • If it’s your first time using Speech Recognition, you’ll have to click Next to go through the setup process. Follow the on-screen instructions to teach the computer to recognize your voice. Once you complete the process, you’ll see the voice recognition panel.
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    5
    Click the microphone icon. It’s on the voice recognition panel. Now you’re ready to start dictating.
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    Open Word. You’ll find it in the Windows menu under “Microsoft Office.”
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    Click where you want your text to appear.
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    8
    Start speaking. You will now see your words appear on the screen as you speak.

Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
macOS

  1. Image titled Dictate on Word Step 9
    1
    Click the Apple menu. It’s at the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Image titled Dictate on Word Step 10
    2
    Click System Preferences.
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    3
    Click Keyboard.
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    Click Dictation. It’s one of the tabs at the top of the window.
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    Select “On” next to “Dictation.” Clicking the circle will turn it blue and add a white dot at its center.
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    Check the box next to “Use Enhanced Dictation.” This allows you to use dictation offline, as well as continuous dictation with live feedback.[1]
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    7
    Click the red circle to close the Keyboard window.
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    Press Fn twice. Now you’ll see a window with a microphone icon. Dictation is now active and ready to use. This is the dictation window.
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    Open Word. You’ll usually find in the Applications folder or on the Launchpad.
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    10
    Click the document where you want the text to appear.
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    11
    Start talking. As you speak, your words will appear in the Word document.

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Does it work on Word Online?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No. Word Online is a very simplified version and, as such, lacks many of the functions of the full version, including dictation.

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References

  1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202584

About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA
Written by:
Nicole Levine, MFA
Tech Specialist
This article was written by Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 81,636 times.
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Co-authors: 2
Updated: March 29, 2019
Views: 81,636
Categories: Basic Computer Skills