Google Docs includes a powerful built-in dictation tool called Voice Typing. It allows you to speak into your computer’s microphone and have your words transcribed directly into your document in real-time. Whether you are brainstorming, taking notes, or simply want to rest your hands, Voice Typing is a fantastic productivity feature.
How to Enable and Use Voice Typing
Note: Voice Typing is most reliably supported when using the Google Chrome browser.
- Open a document in Google Docs.
- Click Tools in the top menu and select Voice typing. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + S on Windows/Chromebook, or Cmd + Shift + S on a Mac.
- A small floating box with a microphone icon will appear on your screen.
- When you are ready to begin, click the microphone icon. It will turn red to indicate that it is actively listening.
- Speak clearly and at a normal pace. Your words will appear on the screen as you speak.
- Click the microphone icon again when you want to stop dictating.
How to Use Punctuation
To format your text properly as you speak, you can dictate punctuation marks. Simply say the name of the punctuation mark where you want it inserted. Common commands include:
- “Period”
- “Comma”
- “Exclamation mark”
- “Question mark”
- “New line” (moves the cursor to the next line)
- “New paragraph” (starts a new paragraph)
Tips for the Best Results
If you make a mistake while dictating, you do not need to turn off the microphone to fix it. You can simply use your mouse and keyboard to manually correct the text, then continue speaking seamlessly.
To improve recognition accuracy, make sure you are using the correct language setting. Above the microphone icon in the floating box, there is a small dropdown menu where you can select your specific language and regional accent. Voice typing supports a wide variety of languages and dialects.