How to Dictate Using Microsoft Word (with Pictures)

2025 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2025-01-23 12:04

This wikiHow teaches you how to use the speech recognition feature on a computer to write Microsoft Word documents.

Step

Method 1 of 2: Windows

Step 1. Press Win+S to open the search box

Step 2. Type in speech recognition

A list of matching results will appear.

Some systems may use the phrase “voice recognition”. The same result will appear

Step 3. Click Speech Recognition

The Speech Recognition control panel will appear.

Step 4. Click on Start Speech Recognition

If you have set Speech Recognition, you will see a speech recognition panel at the top of the screen. This means you are ready to start.

If you have never used the voice recognition feature before, you should click Next to the setup process. Follow the instructions on the screen to teach the computer how to recognize your voice. Once you have completed this process, the voice recognition panel will appear.

Step 5. Click the microphone icon

This icon is in the voice recognition panel. Now, you are ready to dictate.

Step 6. Open Word

You'll find it in the Windows menu under “Microsoft Office.”

Step 7. Click where you want the text to appear

Step 8. Start talking

You will see the words appear on the screen as you speak.

Method 2 of 2: macOS

Step 1. Click the Apple menu

It's in the top-left corner of the screen.

Step 2. Click on System Preferences

Step 3. Click Keyboard

Step 4. Click Dictation

It's in one of the bars at the top of the window.

Step 5. Select “On” next to “Dictation

Once you click, the circle will turn blue with a white dot in the center.

Step 6. Select the box next to “Use Enhanced Dictation

You will be able to use the off-network dictation feature as well as continuous dictation with live feedback.

Step 7. Click the red circle to close the Keyboard window

Step 8. Press Fn twice

You will see a window with a microphone icon. The dictation feature is now enabled and ready to use. This is a dictation window.

Step 9. Open Word

You can usually find them in the folder Applications or in Launchpad.

Step 10. Click the position where you want the text to appear

Step 11. Start talking

You'll see the words appear in the Word document while it's speaking.

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