Google Docs Voice Typing

_{(Video Credit: Nuance Communications, Inc.)}

 

Google Docs Voice Typing allows you to effortlessly transcribe spoken words into text by activating the voice typing feature. Accessible through Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, it requires a functioning microphone. Users can easily format, edit, and apply commands for punctuation and styling, making it a convenient and versatile tool for efficient document creation. It accommodates natural pauses, offers undo capabilities, and provides a list of voice commands for added functionality.

 

Here are the steps to use voice dictation on Google Docs:

1. Requirements:

   • Ensure you have the latest version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
   • Connect a functioning microphone to your computer.
     
     

2. Open Google Docs:

   • Go to Google Drive or directly to Google Docs.
     
     

3. Create a New Document:

   • Start a new document by clicking on the "+" button or selecting "New" and then "Google Docs."
     
     

4. Access Voice Typing:

   • In the new document, navigate to the top menu.
   • Select "Tools" and then choose "Voice typing." Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+S.
     
     

5. Activate Voice Typing:

   • If you selected Tools > Voice typing, a small pop-up window with a dark microphone icon will appear to the left of your document.
   • Click the microphone icon to turn it red. If you used the keyboard shortcut, the pop-up window will already be red.
     
     

6. Start Dictating:

   • Once the microphone is red, start speaking your text. Google will wait for you, so feel free to pause and think as needed.
   • Speak slowly and clearly to minimize mistakes.
     
     

7. Stop Voice Typing:

   • Click the microphone icon again or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+Shift+S) to turn off voice typing when you're done.
     
     

8. Check Microphone Settings (if needed):

   • If your microphone isn't picking up your voice, right-click on the volume icon in the taskbar (for Windows 10 and 11).
   • Select "Open Sound settings" and verify that the correct microphone is set as the input device.
     
     

9. Formatting and Editing:

   • To apply formatting (e.g., bold or italics), start by dictating a sentence with the desired format.
   • For punctuation, dictate it explicitly, such as saying "period" at the end of a sentence.
   • Use commands like "select" followed by the text and "apply" with the formatting type.
     
     

10. Creating Lists:

    • To create lists, use commands like "create bullet list" or "create numbered list."
    • Dictate your list items and say "new line" between each item. End the list by saying "new line" twice.
      
      

11. Undo Command:

    • Google Docs Voice Typing includes an "undo" command for correcting mistakes. Simply use the voice command "undo" when needed.
      
      

12. Refer to Commands List:

    • For a complete list of Google's voice typing commands, you can visit this link.

Enjoy using Google Docs Voice Typing for efficient and hands-free document creation!

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