How to Dictate Documents in Microsoft Word

Great for writing speeches or your autobiography

Most people can speak faster than they can type. Take advantage of this superpower by dictating your documents! Using speech-to-text is a great way to quickly get your thoughts down in writing. We’ll show you how to dictate documents in Microsoft Word on a computer or your smartphone.

If you use the Mac or Windows desktop version of Word, you won’t find the dictate button unless you subscribe to Microsoft 365. However, you can use thefree Microsoft Wordweb app or smartphone apps to dictate to your heart’s desire. We’ll assume you have a good internet connection and a device with amicrophoneenabled.

How to Use Dictation in Word on Macs, PCs, or the Web

The steps for dictating documents in Word are largely the same, no matter whether you’re using the desktop app or the browser-based version.

That’s enough to get started with dictating a Word document on a computer. But keep reading for some expert tips and tricks.

How to Use Dictation on Your Smartphone’s Word App

Smartphones are made for dictation. You might feel strange talking to yourself, but it’s certainly faster than using your phone’s tiny keyboard.

Start with a new Word document or open an existing one. Tap the screen where you want to start dictating, and then select the microphone icon. You can choose the microphone icon inside the Word app itself or the icon on your soft keyboard. Either one will work.

The benefit of using the Word app’s microphone icon is that you’ll have access to some other dictation tools. You’ll see a toolbar with standard punctuation, a spacebar, and a carriage return (new line) button. Sometimes it’s easier to tap those buttons than it is to use voice commands.

You’ll also have access to the gear icon to adjust the settings like the spoken language, auto punctuation, and the profanity filter.

The first time you select the microphone icon in the Word app, you may be prompted to grant Word permission to record audio on your phone. You can choose to either allow it every time you use the app or only this time.

At any point, you can always select theHelpbutton, where you’ll find information on all the voice commands you can use.

Tips and Tricks for Dictating in Microsoft Word

Sure, you can dictate the text of a Word document, but did you know about all the other things you can do in Word with voice commands? You can use your voice to edit, format, create lists, and add a comment.

You’ll get used to saying the names ofpunctuation marks and symbolswhen you dictate.

Think of it this way. You’re the boss and Word is your employee. Just tell Word what you want it to do.

Like the editing tips, you can use voice commands to add formatting to specific words or phrases.

Before you go, check out these final dictation tips and tricks.

If you know of any more dictation commands in Microsoft Word, leave them in the comments!

Maggie Marystone is a freelance technology writer, human rights worker, and storyteller based in Chicago.Read Maggie’s Full Bio

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How to Dictate Documents in Microsoft Word#

How to Use Dictation in Word on Macs, PCs, or the Web#

How to Use Dictation on Your Smartphone’s Word App#

Tips and Tricks for Dictating in Microsoft Word#