Writing programs abound, but the most widely used is Microsoft Word. It is quite practical and easy to use. But if you have to write a longer text, it can also be exhausting. Luckily, Microsoft Word also lets you dictate. We will show you how this works on a PC or smartphone.
Many of you will probably know it: You have Microsoft Word open and have to write a long text. This can not only be annoying, but also take up a lot of time. The dictation function of the writing program can help here. In fact, this works relatively easily on both the PC and the smartphone. Below you will find the explanations for the respective operating systems.
Windows
If you use Microsoft Word on a Windows PC, you must first go to the “Start” tab to use the dictation function. There is a microphone icon in the menu bar that says “Dictate”. It is important that the microphone is on. If you click on the symbol, a small window will pop up. You click on the icon and start speaking. However, the option is reserved for Microsoft 365 subscribers.
macOS
Anyone using a device with the macOS operating system can also benefit from the dictation function in Microsoft Word. Here, too, use is simple and intuitive. Open the writing program, go to the “Start” tab and click on the microphone icon. The rest is identical to Windows. Again, only Microsoft 365 subscribers can use the feature.
Android
You can also dictate in Microsoft Word on an Android device and you don’t even need a subscription. First, go to the Word app and open a new document by tapping the plus icon in the top right corner. Now a microphone symbol appears in the middle. Tap on it and allow Word to record audio. When the microphone icon turns blue, Word is recording what you are saying. To pause it, tap the icon. Repeat for the next recording.
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iOS
It is almost identical with iOS devices. You first have to open an empty document in the Word app. A microphone symbol will then also appear in the middle. If asked, allow the app to record audio. The process is then identical. If the icon lights up blue, the app is currently recording. If you want to stop or continue the recording, simply tap on the microphone. An Office subscription is not necessary here either.
Dictate punctuation correctly in Microsoft Word
If you dictate something in Microsoft Word, you don’t necessarily have to type in the punctuation marks manually on the PC or laptop. There are specific voice commands for this, according to Microsoft:
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However, there is a small flaw with the dictation function in Microsoft Word. You cannot delete the spoken word by voice command. For this you have to use the delete button on the PC and smartphone. For this reason, too, it is probably not necessarily suitable for very long texts, but rather for notes, short texts, etc.