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Knowing how to use dictation in Word and the Microsoft text-to-speech features can be helpful. Using these features can improve accessibility and save you time. The Microsoft text-to-speech feature will read out loud any text you type into your document.

It’s helpful to visually impaired people who may have trouble reading the text. It can also help busy people who receive a lot of documents because they can listen to their documents while doing other things. The dictation in Word feature can help those who can type easily create a document.

In this article, we look at the benefits of voice typing, and we’ll cover how to use text-to-speech and dictation in Word.   

The Benefits of Voice Typing

Microsoft Word dictation can help a lot of different people. For example, the voice typing feature can help is people with disabilities.

“TTS technology can be used to read text from websites, eBooks, and other digital content, allowing individuals to access information and entertainment in a way that was previously unavailable to them.” (disabilityhorizons.com)

Some of the benefits of voice typing for people with disabilities are that:

• It can help people with visual impairments because it provides an alternative to reading printed text.
• It can also help those with dyslexia, helping them understand and retain information.
• This feature can also help people who have physical disabilities and have trouble using a mouse or keyboard.

Those are just some of the ways that voice typing can help. It’s also very convenient. 

Text-to-speech can help people who don’t have time to read a document because it allows them to listen to it. For example, if a student has a long commute, they can listen to a Word document on the way to school.

Another benefit of text-to-speech is that if you don’t speak the language of your target market, you can turn your written text into spoken language in multiple languages. 

Now that we’ve covered the benefits let’s look at how to dictate in Word and how to use Text-to-speech.

How to Use Microsoft Text-to-Speech

Let’s get started on using Text-to-Speech in Microsoft Word.

1. Use a Template

For this post we’ll be working with CV Resume Template. It’s a Microsoft Word premium template from Envato Elements.

This template has a cover letter and business card matching the resume. Everything in the resume is easily editable. CV Resume Template also has a modern and creative design that’ll work for any job that you want to apply to.

2. Make Sure You’ve Got the Right Equipment

Before you learn about Microsoft Word dictation, you need to have the following:

• microphone-enabled device or an external microphone
• Microsoft account where you’re able to access Word
• stable internet connection
• quiet environment

3. How to Turn on Dictation

Here’s how to enable voice typing.

The first step in enabling voice typing in Microsoft Word is to open a new or existing document.

Next, click on Home, then on the Dictate button. You’ll be asked if the app can access your microphone. Click OK. This turns the dictation in Word on. It’ll start listening for your voice. Now you can talk and what you say appears as text in MS Word.

4. How to Add Punctuation

When using the voice typing feature, you can say specific phrases that Windows speech recognition will recognize. If you say these phrases, Word will put punctuation in your document. Here are some of the phrases you can use:

Phrases	Output
Period, full stop	.
Comma	,
Question Mark	?
Exclamation Mark/Point	!
New line	New Line
Apostrophe-s	‘s
Colon	:
Semicolon	;
Open Quotes	“
Close Quotes	“
Hyphen	–
Ellipsis, Dot Dot Dot	…
Left/Open Parentheses	(
Right/Close Parentheses	)
Left/Open Bracket	[
Right/Close Bracket	]
Left/Open Brace	{
Right/Close Brace	}

Punctuation is essential. Knowing these phrases can help you to have proper punctuation in your document.

5. How to Edit

You can even edit your document using the speech-to-text feature. Use editing commands in speech-to-text Word to make your document look the way you want. Here are the editing phrases you can say in the dictation in Word:

Phrases
Backspace (1-100)
Delete (Word or Phrase)
Delete Last/Previous (1-100) Characters/Words
Delete Last/Previous [1-100] Sentences/Paragraphs
Delete Next [1-100] Characters/Words
Delete Next [1-100] Sentences/Paragraphs
Delete, Scratch, or Erase
Delete That or Scratch That
Insert Space
Undo

6. How to Stop Dictation

You can turn the dictate in Word feature off in three ways:

1. You can press the Dictate button to stop the voice typing.
2. Click on the X in the menu bar to remove the dictation menu.
3. You can say “Pause Dictation”.

That’s all there is to it! You can start using speech-to-text on your next MS Word document.

How to Use the Microsoft Word Read Aloud Feature.

Here’s how to use the Microsoft Word Text-to-Speech feature to read to you:

1. Listen With Read Aloud

Click on the Review tab in the menu bar. Select Read Aloud.

Once you click on the Read Aloud button, a popup appears with the Play, Previous, Next, and Settings icons.

To have the text be read aloud, press the Play icon. To pause the reading, press the Pause icon. Press the Previous or Next icon to move from one paragraph to another.

2. Change the Read Aloud Settings

To change the read-aloud settings, click on the Settings icon. Once you click on the Settings icon, a popup displays.

Slide the slider bar in to change the reading speed. To change the voice, click on the arrow under Voice Selection. When you click the arrow, a menu with all the different voice options drops down.

3. Exit Microsoft Word Read-Aloud

To exit the read-aloud feature, press the X in the upper left of the Read Aloud popup.

The Best Source for Microsoft Word Templates (With Unlimited Use)

Envato Elements has thousands of premium templates. To gain access to the templates, all you need to do is become a subscriber. When you become a subscriber, you gain access to premium Word templates, fonts, images, audio, and much more.

Explore Templates Now

It’s a great value because professionals make every template look professional and stylish. Just because you’re using a template doesn’t mean you must give up on customization. A good template is easily customizable.

A premium template saves you time because you start with a stylish base. Typically, a base has text placeholders and image placeholders. Most even have labeled sections, making developing ideas for your document easier. So, try taking advantage of this great deal by signing up for Envato Elements.

Learn More About Word

Have questions about Microsoft Word? Read these articles to learn more:

Microsoft Word FAQ

Whether you’re a seasoned MS Word pro or just getting started, you probably have some questions. Here are some common Microsoft Word questions and answers:

1. What Skills Do I Need to Use Microsoft Word Like A Pro?

There are twelve essential skills that you should know in Microsoft Word. These skills will help you take advantage of all of Word’s features. For an in-depth look at these skills, read this article: 

2. How Do I Recover My Microsoft Word Document?

Microsoft Word has two features that can help you in this situation. They’re the AutoSave and AutoRecover features. These features prevent the loss of your document. To read more about these features, study this article: 

3. How Do I Check the Word Count in Microsoft Word?

There are a couple of different ways you can check the word count. You can see the word count in the status bar or ribbon or use a keyboard shortcut. To find out more information about how to check the word count in Microsoft Word, read this tutorial: 

4. How Do I Quickly Print My Document?

You can print your document through the menu or use a shortcut. Both options allow you to print your document quickly. To read more about how to print your document quickly, read this tutorial:

5. How Do I Add Comments to a Microsoft Word Document?

Comments can help you collaborate on a document easily. Part of adding a comment to a document is using the tracking changes feature. To learn more, read this in-depth tutorial: 

Try These Microsoft Word Features Today!

Microsoft text-to-speech and dictation in Word are helpful features that can help everyone. Whether you’ve got a disability or just want to multitask, these features can help you.

To save even more time, download a premium Microsoft Word template. The best place for premium templates and other assets is Envato Elements. Sign up today to get unlimited access.