Dictate in Word turns speech into text directly inside the document. You can speak punctuation, start new lines, and draft without a separate transcription app.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows or Mac and Word for the web. Dictate needs a working microphone, internet connection, and a version of Word that includes Microsoft cloud dictation.
Turn on Dictate and start talking
Word may ask for microphone access the first time.
- Click where the dictated text should begin.
- Open the Home tab.
- Click Dictate, shown with a microphone icon.
- Allow microphone access if prompted.
- Wait for the recording indicator.
- Speak clearly at a steady pace.
- Say punctuation such as period, comma, question mark, new line, or new paragraph.
- Click Dictate again or say stop dictating when finished.
Fix Dictate when it will not start or type
Most failures come from permissions, audio input, updates, or connection.
- Check microphone permission. On Windows, open Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone. On Mac, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone.
- Make sure Word is current and tied to Microsoft 365. Older non-subscription versions may not include Dictate.
- Check internet access because speech recognition runs through Microsoft online services.
- Open Dictate settings and choose the correct microphone, especially if a headset is connected.
- Close and reopen Word, or restart the computer, if the audio driver appears stuck.
More control
Use voice commands
Word supports commands such as delete that, new paragraph, all caps on, and all caps off. Available commands can vary by language and version.
Change the spoken language
Use the gear beside Dictate to choose the language you are speaking. Dictate listens for one language at a time, so switch it before changing languages.
Turn off auto punctuation if it guesses badly
If Word inserts commas or periods where you do not want them, open Dictate settings and disable Auto Punctuation. Then say punctuation manually.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Dictate your documents in Word (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Use voice commands with Dictate (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Set up your microphone (2025)