Dictation in your apps
Voice Typing in Google Docs, Word and Every Other App
Google Docs, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, OneNote, ChatGPT, Claude and Claude Code have their own dictation button, but each one types only inside its own app and usually needs an internet connection or a paid plan. Gmail on a computer, Slack, terminals and Linux desktops have none, so the reliable setup is the built-in button where it is good enough plus one system-wide dictation tool that types into whatever text field has focus.
Updated October 16, 202618 min read37 cited facts, each traced to its source
153words per minute
In a controlled study on an iPhone, English text entered by speech reached 153 words per minute, against 52 words per minute on the built-in keyboard, 2.93 times faster.
Sherry Ruan et al., Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies (IMWUT), 2018
3browsers
Google says voice typing in Google Docs works with the latest versions of Chrome, Edge and Safari, and that the web browser controls the speech-to-text service.
Google (Docs Editors Help), 2026
Guides in this topic
Each guide takes one part of the subject in depth.
- Google Docs Voice Typing: How to Use It and Its LimitsGoogle Docs has voice typing built in. Open a document in Chrome, Edge or Safari, choose Tools, then Voice typing, and click the microphone. Google's older help page says its editing commands work only in English, and Firefox is not on Google's list of supported browsers.
- Dictate in Word: Voice Typing on Web, Windows and MacWord's Dictate sits on the Home tab and types your speech into the document, but only Microsoft 365 subscribers get it, and it needs a microphone and an internet connection because your speech goes to Microsoft. A one-time Office 2016 or 2019 for Windows does not include it. Transcribe is a separate tool for recordings.
- How to Dictate Into Any App: Built-in vs System-WideAn app's own dictation button usually types only inside that app, while the operating system's dictation can type into almost any text field. On a Mac, Dictation works in any place you can type except search boxes, and Windows voice typing needs internet. Password fields and some remote sessions may block dictation, so test each one.
- Dictate Emails in Outlook and GmailOn a computer, Outlook has a Dictate button on the Message tab, and Microsoft documents it for new Outlook, classic Outlook and Outlook for Mac. Gmail on a computer has no dictation button, so your operating system's dictation types into the compose box. Microsoft planned to retire Dictate from the Outlook app on iPhone and Android from September 2024, and the phone keyboard's microphone works instead.
- Speech to Text in Chrome: Built-in Options and ExtensionsChrome has no dictation button of its own. Speech to text in Chrome comes from your computer's built-in dictation, from a website with its own microphone button, or from an extension, and each route sends your voice to a different place. Start with the built-in option, and read an extension's data disclosures before you install it.
- Dictation in ChatGPT and Claude: Speaking Your PromptsChatGPT and Claude each have a microphone button that writes your speech into the message box, so you can read and edit the prompt before you send it. It is separate from their spoken voice modes. Claude Code's documentation says its dictation audio is not processed on your computer, and OpenAI's pages we could read do not say where ChatGPT dictation runs.
- Dictate in PowerPoint, OneNote and ExcelPowerPoint and OneNote have a Dictate button on the Home tab for Microsoft 365 subscribers, and it types into slide text, slide notes and notes. Microsoft does not document a Dictate button for Excel, so the working route there is your operating system's dictation, started after you press F2 to edit the cell.
- Speech to Text on Linux: Dictation on Ubuntu and MintNeither Ubuntu nor Linux Mint has a dictation feature that we could find in its current release documentation, so speech to text on Linux means adding an open-source app. The app runs an offline engine such as Whisper or Vosk on your computer and types the words into the window that has focus. The hard part is the typing step, which works differently on the X11 and Wayland display systems.
- Voice Coding: How to Program by VoiceProgramming by voice works in two ways: command tools such as Talon with Cursorless, which give precise control after a learning period, and dictation of prompts and comments into an AI coding tool, which needs no new grammar. Typing speed matters less in coding than in prose, because most developer time goes to understanding code.
- Voice Input for Claude Code, Cursor and AI Coding ToolsClaude Code, VS Code, Cursor and Codex each have some built-in voice input, but the rules differ: Claude Code needs a claude.ai sign-in and sends audio to Anthropic, while VS Code's desktop dictation can run on your computer. Terminals are the hardest place for outside dictation to type, so use the built-in button where it works and a system-wide tool where it does not.
- Voice to Text in Teams, Slack and NotionOn their own help pages, Teams, Slack and Notion do not offer dictation into a normal message box. Teams and Slack record voice as clips, and Slack adds a transcript when you request one. Notion's voice input is described as a way to talk to Notion AI. To type by voice in any of the three, use your operating system's dictation or a system-wide dictation app.
- Chromebook Dictation: How to Turn It On and Use ItChromeOS includes Dictation, a built-in accessibility feature that types your speech into any editable text field. Turn it on under Settings, then Accessibility, and start it with Search + D or the microphone icon in the status tray. It adds punctuation when you say the words for it, runs editing commands, and turns itself off after a short silence.
- Web Speech API: Speech Recognition in the BrowserThe Web Speech API's SpeechRecognition interface lets a web page turn speech into text with a few lines of JavaScript. Chrome and Edge have the broadest support, Safari works when Siri is turned on, and Firefox has not shipped it in a numbered release. By default, Chrome sends audio to a server, so the feature stops working offline, and newer Chrome releases can keep recognition on the device.
You can voice type in almost every app you write in, but not in the same way everywhere. Some apps have their own dictation button (Google Docs, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, OneNote, ChatGPT, Claude, Claude Code). That button works only inside that app, usually sends your audio to a cloud service, and sometimes needs a paid plan. Other apps have no dictation button of their own (Gmail on a computer, Slack, most terminals, Linux desktops). For those, the operating system's dictation or one system-wide dictation app types into whatever text field has focus.
So the setup that holds up is simple. Use the built-in button in the app where it is good enough, and keep one system-wide tool for everything else. The rest of this page covers each app and platform, what it can and cannot do, and where to read the full detail.
Speaking beat phone typing in a controlled study, so it is worth setting up per app
English speech input on a phone reached 153 words per minute in a controlled study, against 52 on the built-in keyboard 1. That is a laboratory result on short phrases, and it measures the finished text including corrections. It does not mean every dictated email is 2.93 times faster 1. It does explain why people go looking for voice typing in the apps where they write the most.
The gap between that number and your real day comes from the app. If the app has no dictation, the speed is zero. If it has a dictation button that fails when the connection drops, it is unreliable. Knowing which case you are in is the whole job, and the table below is the short version.
The short answer: a matrix of which app has what
The table summarizes what each app gives you. Every row is explained in the sections that follow, with the evidence and a link to the full guide.
| App or platform | Own dictation? | Where to find it | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Docs | Yes | Tools, then Voice typing | Desktop browser only, Docs only |
| Microsoft Word | Yes | Home, then Dictate | Needs Microsoft 365 and internet |
| Outlook | Yes (desktop and web) | Message tab, then Dictate | Needs Microsoft 365 |
| PowerPoint, OneNote | Yes | Home, then Dictate | Same Microsoft 365 rules |
| Excel | No documented button | Use system dictation | Types into the selected cell |
| Gmail (computer) | No | Use system dictation | No button to find |
| Slack, Teams, Notion | Not for typing messages | Use system dictation | Voice features are recordings or AI |
| ChatGPT, Claude | Yes (microphone button) | Prompt box | Audio goes to the vendor |
| Claude Code | Yes (/voice) | Terminal prompt | Claude.ai account, local microphone |
| Chromebook | Yes (system level) | Settings, Accessibility | Language must match the device |
| Linux desktops | No | Add an open-source tool | Typing into apps on Wayland |
| Code editors | Partly | Extensions and voice tools | Precision needs a command grammar |
The pattern is clear. The big word processors and AI assistants ship a button. Chat apps, spreadsheets, terminals and Linux do not. Our guide on how to dictate into any app explains why in more detail, including the cases where even system dictation cannot type.
There are three ways to dictate into an app, and only one works everywhere
There are three routes. The first is the app's own button, which works only in that app. The second is operating system dictation, which types into almost any text field. System-wide dictation arrived on the Mac with OS X Mountain Lion, released on July 25, 2012, and could type anywhere you could type 2. The third is a system-wide dictation app, which adds its own speech models, formatting and shortcuts on top, and also types into any field. The term is explained in our glossary entry on system-wide dictation.
On a Mac, you can start dictation by pressing the fn or Globe key twice, once you set that option in Keyboard settings in macOS 27 3. On Windows 11, voice typing needs a working microphone, an internet connection and the cursor in a text box 4. Our overviews of dictation on Mac and dictation on Windows cover the operating system tools in full, and the page on dictation on phones and tablets covers the keyboard microphone.
Why do some apps fail with outside dictation? Dictation tools put text into an app by simulating typing, by pasting, or through an accessibility interface. Which one is used decides what breaks. Password fields, remote desktop windows and some terminals refuse some of those routes. The glossary entry on text insertion defines the methods. If you wonder what to buy, two questions in this area compare tools directly: the best dictation software for Word and the best dictation app for Google Docs. Dragon users run into these walls too, which is why there is a question on Dragon not working in Chrome, Word or Outlook.
Google Docs voice typing is free, but it types only into Docs on a computer
In Google Docs, you open a document in a supported browser, choose Tools, then Voice typing, and click the microphone box that appears 5. Google says it works with the latest versions of Chrome, Edge and Safari, and that the web browser controls the speech-to-text service 6. An archived December 2020 copy of the same help page said voice typing was only available in Chrome 7, so the current list is wider. Firefox is not in Google's list.
You can also start it from the keyboard. Google's shortcut list gives Ctrl + Shift + S on Windows and Command + Shift + S on a Mac, labeled as available in Chrome 8. Because the browser supplies the recognition, accuracy and privacy depend on the browser you choose. Because the feature lives inside Docs, it cannot type into Gmail or Slack in the next tab.
Our full guide, Google Docs voice typing: how to use it and its limits, covers languages, punctuation and administrator controls. The common questions each have a short answer:
- Where is voice typing in Google Docs?
- Why is Google Docs voice typing not working?
- How do you add punctuation with Google Docs voice typing?
- What are the Google Docs voice typing commands?
- How do you use voice typing in Google Docs on a phone?
- Can Google Docs transcribe an audio file?
Voice typing is a live feature. If you have a recording instead, a file transcription tool such as audio to text in the browser is the right route. The glossary entry on voice typing in Google Docs defines the feature.
Word's Dictate button needs Microsoft 365 and an internet connection
Microsoft says Dictation in Word works in Microsoft 365 and needs a reliable internet connection 9. The licensing rule is blunt: the dictation feature is only available to Microsoft 365 subscribers 10. Without a Microsoft 365 subscription, the button is not there, so check your license first.
You start it from Home, then Dictate. On a Mac, Microsoft gives Option + F1 as the shortcut 11. The privacy trade is stated on the same page: your speech is sent to Microsoft and used only to provide text results 12. That makes Word's Dictate a cloud feature, not an offline one, a point covered in more depth in our voice privacy overview.
The full guide is Dictate in Word: voice typing on web, Windows and Mac. It separates Dictate, which handles live speech, from Transcribe, which handles recordings. The terms are in the glossary: Dictate (Microsoft 365), Transcribe (Microsoft 365) and connected experiences, the privacy setting that can switch Dictate off. Specific questions:
- Where is the Dictate button in Word?
- Why is Dictate greyed out in Word?
- Why is Dictate not working in Word?
- What are the dictation commands in Word?
- Can Microsoft Word transcribe an audio file?
- How do you change the dictation language in Word?
If Word's Dictate is missing, Windows voice typing (Win + H) 13 or Mac Dictation still types into a Word document, which is the fallback every Word guide ends on.
Outlook has Dictate on desktop and web, and Gmail has none on a computer
In new Outlook you start a new email or reply, select the body of the message, go to the Message tab and select Dictate 14. The licensing rule matches Word: Microsoft says the feature is only available to Microsoft 365 subscribers 15. Classic Outlook uses the same Message tab route, and Outlook for Mac has its own steps, which the guide spells out.
Gmail is the gap. We found no dictation button in Gmail on a computer, so a Gmail draft is a job for the operating system's dictation or a system-wide tool. On a phone, the keyboard's microphone is the route. On Android with Gboard, you tap a text field, tap the microphone at the top of the keyboard and speak when you see "Speak now" 16.
Email is where dictation saves the most time and where errors hurt the most, so a quick read before sending matters. Our guide Dictate emails in Outlook and Gmail gives the route for every version. Questions:
- Why is Dictate not working in Outlook?
- Does Gmail have voice typing?
- Why is dictation not working in Gmail?
- Is there a dictation extension for Gmail?
PowerPoint and OneNote share Word's button, and Excel relies on system dictation
PowerPoint and OneNote carry the same Microsoft 365 Dictate button as Word, so the licensing and connection rules are the same: a subscription, a sign-in and an internet connection. In PowerPoint it writes slide text and speaker notes. In OneNote it types notes. Excel has no documented Dictate button of its own, so the practical route is the operating system's dictation typing into the selected cell. Voice commands that navigate a spreadsheet come from accessibility tools, not from dictation.
The guide Dictate in PowerPoint, OneNote and Excel covers each app, and three questions answer the most common lookups:
Teams, Slack and Notion mostly record voice rather than type it
Chat and workspace apps are where many people write short messages, yet their voice features center on recordings, captions, transcripts and AI prompts rather than a dictation button in the message box. We did not find a documented dictation button for typing messages in Teams, Slack or Notion on a computer, so typing by voice there comes from the operating system or a system-wide tool, and on a phone from the keyboard microphone. The guide checks each app against its current documentation, and apps add features, so confirm in the app.
Meeting transcription is a different job from dictation: it turns a conversation between people into a record, while dictation turns one person's speech into text you edit. Our guide Voice to text in Teams, Slack and Notion covers each app. Questions:
- Does Microsoft Teams have speech to text?
- How do you use voice to text in Slack?
- Can you dictate in Notion?
If you work with dictation across a team, see also the overview of dictation at work.
Chrome has no dictation button, so browser speech comes from three places
Chrome itself has no dictation button. Speech to text in the browser comes from the operating system (Win + H, Mac Dictation, ChromeOS Dictation), from a site that builds it in (Google Docs, ChatGPT), or from an extension. Each route differs in privacy, languages and where it can type. OS dictation works in every Chrome text field. A site's own microphone button works on that site only. An extension can add dictation to any page, but it needs permission to read the pages you use.
When a site asks for the microphone, Chrome on a computer asks you to choose Allow while visiting the site 17. A blocked prompt is the first thing to check when dictation does nothing. The glossary entry site microphone permission explains it.
Speech recognition on a web page is server-based by default: your audio is sent to a web service, so it does not work offline 18. That is why extension reviews matter less than where the audio goes. The guide Speech to text in Chrome: built-in options and extensions compares the three routes with permissions and data paths. Questions:
- What is the best speech to text extension for Chrome?
- Can Chrome do speech to text offline?
- Why is dictation not working in Chrome?
The Web Speech API is how a page gets speech recognition, and it defaults to the cloud
Developers add speech recognition to a page with the Web Speech API, specifically its SpeechRecognition interface. The default is the same cloud path described above 18. A second default matters for dictation-style pages: the continuous setting defaults to false, so each recognition returns a single result rather than a stream 19. A site that wants continuous dictation has to set that property to true itself.
Support differs by browser, and privacy depends on the browser, not the website. The alternative is running a model such as Whisper in the page itself. The guide Web Speech API: speech recognition in the browser covers both sides, what a user's audio goes through and what a developer can rely on. Questions:
- Which browsers support speech recognition?
- Does the Web Speech API send audio to Google?
- How do you add speech recognition to a website with JavaScript?
- Can Whisper run in the browser?
The term itself is defined in the glossary entry on the Web Speech API. For the underlying technology, see our overview of speech recognition.
Chromebooks have dictation built in at the system level
Every Chromebook has dictation that types into any text field. On a Chromebook, you turn on Dictation in Settings, Accessibility, under Keyboard and text input, then start it by selecting Speak or pressing Search + d (or Launcher + d) 20. Chromebook dictation has one hard limit: it does not work if the language you speak does not match the device language 21.
Google Docs voice typing is a second option inside Docs on a Chromebook, with the same Ctrl + Shift + S shortcut 8. For the accessibility angle see our accessibility overview. The full guide is Chromebook dictation: how to turn it on and use it, with the glossary entry Dictation (ChromeOS). Questions:
- How do you add punctuation with Chromebook dictation?
- Why is dictation not working on my Chromebook?
- Does Chromebook dictation work offline?
ChatGPT and Claude turn speech into an editable prompt, and dictation is not voice mode
Both assistants have a microphone button that turns speech into text in the prompt box, which you can edit before sending. This is separate from their spoken conversation modes. Claude's help center puts the difference plainly: dictation converts your speech to text so you can type prompts by speaking 22. Voice mode is a two-way conversation in which the assistant speaks back. In Claude Cowork and Claude Code, dictation is available but voice mode is not 23.
The guide Dictation in ChatGPT and Claude: speaking your prompts covers how each button works on web, desktop and phone, plus failure modes. A system-wide tool works in every AI app at once, which matters when you switch between assistants. Questions:
- Why is ChatGPT dictation not working?
- Why is Claude dictation not working?
- What is the difference between ChatGPT dictation and voice mode?
- What speech to text does ChatGPT use?
- What languages does Claude dictation support?
For the wider picture of speaking to AI, read the overview of voice and AI.
Claude Code and other AI coding tools have push-to-talk with documented limits
Agents reward long, detailed prompts, and speaking is a quick way to write one. Claude Code has built-in dictation, enabled with the /voice command 24, with hold-to-record and tap-to-record modes. Its documented requirements show the real limits. The audio is streamed to Anthropic's servers for transcription, and it is not processed on the computer 25. It needs a Claude.ai account, so it is unavailable with an API key or a cloud provider 26. It needs a local microphone and does not work in cloud sessions or SSH sessions 27. In tap mode, recording stops automatically after 15 seconds of silence or two minutes in total 28.
Those limits are why a system-wide tool matters for developers. It types into the terminal, the editor and the agent without needing the vendor's account type, though some terminals refuse text from outside tools. Our guide Voice input for Claude Code, Cursor and AI coding tools maps each tool's built-in input. Yap, which we make, also covers this case: see dictation for Claude Code. Questions:
- Why is Claude Code voice dictation not working?
- What is the best dictation tool for Claude Code?
- How do you use voice input in VS Code?
The glossary entry on vibe coding defines the style of work that makes this useful.
Voice coding means either speaking code commands or dictating to an AI
There are two different things called voice coding. The first is a command grammar: you speak short, learned words that produce symbols, navigation and edits. Talon is the established example, and its home page lists writing, coding, browsing and gaming as uses 29. It is offered for macOS, Windows and Linux (X11) 30. Cursorless is another option: it describes itself as a spoken language for structural code editing 31. Both take practice to learn.
The second is plain dictation of prose to an AI that writes the code. It needs no new grammar, so it is the easier entry point. You can combine voice, keyboard and AI rather than choosing one, and the guide looks at who uses each approach and why.
Our guide Voice coding: how to program by voice compares the tools and their maintenance status. Questions:
- How does Talon voice coding work?
- Does Serenade still work for voice coding?
- Does typing speed matter in coding?
Definitions are in the glossary: voice coding, Talon Voice and Cursorless. For raw typing numbers see the overview of typing speed.
Linux has no built-in dictation, so you add an open-source tool
Ubuntu, Mint and other Linux desktops ship no built-in dictation. Linux dictation means adding an open-source tool, and the hard part is less the recognition than typing the text into apps. The two engine families you will meet are Whisper, usually through whisper.cpp, and Vosk. whisper.cpp lists support for CPU-only inference 32, so a small model can run without a GPU. The nerd-dictation project describes itself as a speech to text utility for Linux that is not tied to a desktop environment, built on the VOSK-API 33.
Insertion is the catch. nerd-dictation lists xdotool, which simulates input in X11, as its default input utility 34. Under Wayland, the newer display system, that approach does not work in the same way, so tools need alternatives. Talon's Linux download is labeled X11 30. Cross-platform apps reach Linux too. Handy, a free open-source app, is listed as working on Windows, macOS and Linux 35, and its README describes pressing a shortcut, speaking, and having your words appear in any text field 36. OpenWhispr lists Whisper and NVIDIA Parakeet among the local models that run offline 37.
Browser dictation and Google Docs work on Linux through Chrome, which is the zero-install route. The guide Speech to text on Linux: dictation on Ubuntu and Mint compares maintained tools by engine, desktop and install route. Questions:
- Does Dragon NaturallySpeaking work on Linux?
- How do you use Whisper for dictation on Linux?
- Can you control Linux with voice commands?
The glossary entry on Wayland explains the display system that causes most insertion trouble.
Built-in dictation versus system-wide dictation: what you give up and gain
The honest comparison is not "free versus paid". It is about where the text goes and what you control. The table compares the three routes on the points that matter.
| App's own button | OS dictation | System-wide dictation app | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works in | One app | Most text fields | Most text fields |
| Cost | Often tied to a plan | Included | Free or paid, varies |
| Offline | Rarely | Sometimes | Often, with local models |
| Audio goes to | App vendor | OS vendor | Depends on the tool |
| Commands for that app | Yes | No | No |
| Best for | Long documents in one app | Occasional use everywhere | Daily use across many apps |
Recommend the built-in tool where it is enough. If you only ever write in Google Docs, its voice typing is free and sufficient. If you write in Word, Gmail, Slack and a terminal in the same hour, one system-wide tool saves you from learning four different buttons and four sets of commands. Yap, which we make, is one such tool for Mac and Windows with on-device models; see how to choose a dictation app for a fair comparison, and download or pricing for details. For a wider survey of tools, see the overview of dictation software.
A reliable setup in five steps
- Check the app first. If it has a button you trust (Docs, Word, Claude Code), use it for long sessions in that app.
- Learn your operating system's shortcut. Win + H on Windows 13, the Dictation shortcut on a Mac, Search + d on a Chromebook.
- Pick one system-wide tool for apps with no button: Gmail, Slack, Notion, Excel, terminals.
- Fix microphone permissions once. Most "dictation not working" reports are a blocked microphone, a wrong language, or a missing subscription.
- Read before you send. Dictation makes different errors than typing, so a quick pass catches them.
For a free test without installing anything, online dictation in the browser works in any modern browser. If an app refuses dictation, the matrix above tells you whether the app, the license or the platform is the cause.
Where to go next
Each guide in this area covers one part in depth:
- Google Docs voice typing
- Dictate in Word
- Dictate into any app
- Dictate emails in Outlook and Gmail
- Speech to text in Chrome
- Dictation in ChatGPT and Claude
- Dictate in PowerPoint, OneNote and Excel
- Speech to text on Linux
- Voice coding
- Voice input for Claude Code and AI coding tools
- Voice to text in Teams, Slack and Notion
- Chromebook dictation
- Web Speech API
Related overviews: dictation on Mac, dictation on Windows, phones and tablets, accessibility, voice privacy and speech recognition.
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Questions people ask
- Can Chrome do speech to text offline?Not by default: speech recognition on a web page in Chrome is server-based and needs a connection. Chrome recognizes speech offline only when a page asks for on-device recognition and the language pack is already installed. For offline dictation into any app, use an operating system tool that runs on the device, such as Mac Dictation or Windows Voice Access.
- Can Google Docs transcribe an audio file?Google Docs does not appear to transcribe files. Its voice typing listens to your live microphone and types what you say, and the Google help pages we could read describe no way to upload an audio file or video. To transcribe a file, use a tool that accepts uploads, such as Word's Transcribe feature for Microsoft 365 on Windows or Voice Memos on a Mac.
- Can Microsoft Word transcribe an audio file?Yes, in Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows in a commercial tenant. Word's Transcribe feature turns an uploaded .wav, .mp4, .m4a or .mp3 file into a transcript. It is not the same tool as Dictate, which types live speech and cannot open a file. Microsoft's note limits Transcribe to that setup, and caps subscribers at 300 minutes of uploaded audio a month.
- Can OneNote transcribe audio?Yes, but only on Windows in OneNote for Microsoft 365, and not for GCC, GCC-H or DoD customers. Microsoft's Transcribe article gives a limit of 300 minutes of uploaded audio a month for subscribers, and it limits OneNote transcription to Windows, so do not plan around it on a Mac.
- Can Whisper run in the browser?Yes. Whisper runs in a web page with Transformers.js, a JavaScript library from Hugging Face, and the smallest models are the practical choice. The page uses the CPU by default and can use WebGPU when it asks for it, but the largest model needs about 10 GB of video memory and a long download.
- Can you control Linux with voice commands?Partly. Linux has voice command software, but the choice is narrow: Talon offers the most control, yet its home page lists Linux only as X11 and a report says its developer will drop Linux. Serenade lists a Linux build for speaking code, and dictation tools such as Vocalinux type your words without running commands.
- Can you dictate in Excel?Yes, but not through a button Microsoft documents for Excel. Select the cell, press F2 so it is in edit mode, then start Windows voice typing with Windows key + H or Dictation on a Mac. Test it on one cell before you enter real data.
- Can you dictate in Notion?Not with Notion's own voice feature for pages. Notion added voice input on desktop in April 2026, and its release describes it as a way to dictate prompts to Notion AI. To dictate into a Notion page, use your operating system's dictation or a system-wide dictation app, and test it in a short paragraph first.
- Can you transcribe a Teams meeting without recording it?Yes, if your organization allows it. Microsoft's Transcribe only option creates a meeting transcript without storing any recording, and it needs the AllowTranscription meeting policy turned on. It does not hide the transcript from others: Microsoft says live transcription shows a notice to every participant, and state laws may require everyone's consent.
- Does Chromebook dictation work offline?It can, in a language where Chromebook Dictation uses its on-device speech engine, called SODA, which turns speech into text without sending it to a Google server. When that engine is not available, Dictation falls back to network recognition, which needs an internet connection. We found no published list of offline languages for current ChromeOS releases, so test your language with the internet off before you rely on it.
- Does Dragon NaturallySpeaking work on Linux?No. Nuance lists only Windows as the operating system for its current Dragon products, and we found no Linux edition. On Linux, an open-source app such as Vocalinux is the practical route, since it runs its speech engine on your own computer.
- Does Gmail have voice typing?Gmail on a computer has no voice typing button of its own, as far as the Google help pages we could check show. Your computer's dictation types into the Gmail compose box: Dictation on a Mac, or Windows key and H on Windows. You can also dictate in Google Docs and paste the text into your draft, and on Android the Gboard keyboard's microphone works in Gmail.
- Does Microsoft Teams have speech to text?Yes, but only for meetings and clips. Teams transcribes what people say in a meeting, and its clips record your voice. Microsoft's help pages we checked on 2026-10-17 do not describe dictating a typed message into a Teams chat box, so use Windows key + H on Windows or Dictation on a Mac to type by voice.
- Does Serenade still work for voice coding?Serenade is still offered as a free download, but we could not confirm that it is maintained. The most recent commit on its public code repository is dated July 23, 2022, and we found no shutdown notice. Treat it as a tool to test on your own speech, not a dependable daily tool, until its own pages show recent updates.
- Does the Web Speech API send audio to Google?By default in Chrome, yes: MDN says the Web Speech API sends audio to a web service for recognition. Google is named only indirectly, in a Mozilla wiki page that compares its own requests to Google with Chrome's. We found no Google document that confirms the service or how long audio is kept, so treat Google as unconfirmed. A page can ask for on-device recognition with processLocally, where the browser supports it.
- Does typing speed matter in coding?Less than you might think. In a field study of professional developers, about 58 percent of their time went to understanding code, which faster typing does not shorten. Typing speed matters most for the prose around the code, such as comments, commit messages and prompts, and touch typing mainly cuts how often you look down at the keyboard.
- Does Word Dictate use AI?Microsoft does not describe Word's Dictate as an AI feature. It is speech-to-text: your speech is sent to Microsoft and returned as text, and Microsoft does not name the recognition model it uses. Treat Dictate as a cloud service that needs the internet, not as a tool that works on your device.
- Does Word Dictate work offline?No. Word's Dictate needs a Microsoft 365 subscription, a microphone and a reliable internet connection, because your speech is sent to Microsoft to become text. For offline dictation, Windows 11 Voice Access works without internet after a first-time setup that needs a connection, and Apple's Dictation on a Mac can process text on the device, though that is not Word's own Dictate.
- How do you add punctuation with Chromebook dictation?On a Chromebook, you add punctuation with Dictation by saying the mark's name while it is listening. Google's help page lists five common marks: 'comma', 'period', 'question mark', 'exclamation mark' and 'exclamation point'. Test any other mark before you rely on it, because the page does not list it.
- How do you add punctuation with Google Docs voice typing?In Google Docs voice typing, you add punctuation by saying the name of the mark. Google's 2020 help page lists period, comma, exclamation point, question mark, new line and new paragraph, and it warns that punctuation might not be available in every language. Other marks, such as quotation marks, are not on that list.
- How do you add speech recognition to a website with JavaScript?Create a SpeechRecognition object, set its language, read the text in its result event, and call start() from a button click. Check first for the constructor, since some browsers do not have it, and show a message with a typed alternative when it is missing.
- How do you change the dictation language in Word?Open Dictate's settings with the gear icon, then choose your language in the Spoken Language drop-down. Word starts in your document's language by default, and Microsoft's list has 15 languages before its preview group, which may be less accurate.
- How do you dictate an email in Outlook?In new Outlook or classic Outlook on Windows, click into the body of a new email or reply, go to the Message tab, select Dictate, and speak. In Outlook for Mac, go to Message and choose Dictate, or press Option + F1. Dictate needs a Microsoft 365 subscription, a working microphone and a reliable internet connection.
- How do you dictate in ChatGPT?To dictate in ChatGPT, tap the microphone icon in the text box, speak, then read the words that appear and correct them before you send. OpenAI documents this for the mobile and desktop apps, and the OpenAI pages we read do not confirm the same button in a web browser.
- How do you dictate in Claude?In the Claude phone apps, tap the microphone icon on the chat input, speak, and tap the arrow to send, though Anthropic's tutorial describes holding the mic instead. In the Claude desktop app, press the mic, speak, and send. On a Mac, you can press Caps Lock in quick entry, which needs macOS 14 or later; Claude Code uses the /voice command instead.
- How do you dictate in OneNote?To dictate in OneNote, sign in to Microsoft 365, select Home, then Dictate, wait for the button to start listening, and speak into your note. Dictate types your words but does not transcribe recordings, and Microsoft says Transcribe in OneNote is currently available only on Windows.
- How do you dictate in PowerPoint?To dictate in PowerPoint, click into a slide placeholder or the slide notes, select Dictate on the Home tab, wait for it to start listening, and speak. The button needs a Microsoft 365 subscription, a microphone and an internet connection, and on Windows it is limited to subscribers using the desktop app.
- How do you find and download a Teams meeting transcript?In the Teams desktop app, select Chat, open the past meeting chat, select Recap, then select Transcript and download it. The organizer and co-organizer can download it as a .docx or .vtt file by default. If the transcript is missing, the meeting was probably not recorded or transcribed, or the person looking is a phone caller, who cannot view it.
- How do you turn on meeting transcription in Microsoft Teams?In Microsoft Teams, an admin turns transcription on in the meeting policy, and it is on by default for new policies. In a meeting, you then select More actions, then Transcribe, and everyone in the meeting sees a notice when it starts. Recording a meeting starts transcription automatically, and both the organizer and the person who starts a transcript need it on.
- How do you use voice input in VS Code?Use VS Code's built-in dictation: select the microphone button in the chat input, or run Voice: Start Dictation in Editor or Voice: Start Dictation in Terminal from the Command Palette. Dictation inserts your words but does not send a chat request, and the built-in option is not available on Intel-based Macs, which need the VS Code Speech extension.
- How do you use voice to text in Slack?Slack's microphone records an audio clip and does not type your words into a message. Its Slackbot prompt box has a microphone that dictates prompts to Slackbot. To type a Slack message by voice, use Windows key + H on Windows, Dictation on a Mac, or the microphone on your phone's keyboard.
- How do you use voice typing in Google Docs on a phone?Google's voice typing steps describe a Tools menu in a computer browser, and the Google help pages we could read name no voice typing menu in the Docs phone apps. On a phone, dictate into Google Docs through your keyboard's microphone: on Android, tap the microphone at the top of Gboard, and on iPhone, turn on Dictation in Settings and tap the dictation key on the keyboard.
- How do you use Whisper for dictation on Linux?Whisper is a speech model, so on Linux you use it through an app that runs it on your computer. For dictation into other windows, Vocalinux is the route we checked most closely, since it uses whisper.cpp by default and works on X11 and Wayland. Check your session type first, because it decides which typing method will work.
- How does Talon voice coding work?Talon listens through a speech engine and decides, phrase by phrase, whether to run a command or type text. For coding, you add a community command set and, in VS Code, Cursorless, which edits code by its structure. Check Linux support before you install, because a 2026 report says Talon is dropping it.
- Is Notion meeting transcription free?No, not on an ongoing basis. Notion's AI Meeting Notes, which transcribes meetings, requires a Business or Enterprise plan, with an exception for eligible mobile subscriptions. Notion's pricing table marks the feature as a limited trial, but the text we read does not say which plans that covers. We found no free allowance on Notion's help or pricing pages as of 2026-10-17.
- Is there a dictation extension for Gmail?Yes, Chrome extensions add dictation to Gmail. Dictation for Gmail puts a microphone button beside Send, and Voice In's listing says it supports Gmail among many sites. Before you install one, read its store rating, last update date, declared data handling and how it processes speech, and remember that your computer's built-in dictation also types into Gmail without an extension.
- Is there a speech to text extension for Google Docs?Yes, Chrome extensions such as Voice In add speech to text to Google Docs, but you do not need one, because voice typing is built into Docs in Chrome, Edge and Safari. Before you install an extension, read its store listing's privacy section, since listings can disclose the personal data a developer handles. Your computer's own dictation also types into Docs.
- What are the dictation commands in Word?Dictate in Word turns spoken phrases such as period, comma, question mark and new line into punctuation, and other phrases into editing and formatting. Say delete by itself to remove the last word or mark, or delete that to remove the last spoken utterance. The full list depends on your language, so check Microsoft's table for yours.
- What are the Google Docs voice typing commands?Google Docs voice typing has spoken commands for selecting, formatting, editing, moving and resuming, and they work only in English. The list we could read is from a December 2020 copy of Google's help page, so open the voice commands list inside Docs to check it. Examples include Delete, Undo, Stop listening and Resume.
- What is the best dictation app for Google Docs?The best starting point for Google Docs is Google's own voice typing, which needs no download: open the document in Chrome, Edge or Safari, then choose **Tools** and **Voice typing**. Use a separate tool only if you need dictation in other apps or voice commands in a web app. If you need offline use with a Dragon web extension, check the version first, since Nuance's Dragon 15 help says offline mode is not supported for web-based documents.
- What is the best dictation software for Microsoft Word?For most people with Microsoft 365, Word's own **Dictate** button is the best place to start, since it comes with the subscription and needs no separate app. If you do not have Microsoft 365, or you need voice commands for editing, Dragon Professional is a paid alternative, and Windows voice typing and Voice Access are free options on Windows.
- What is the best dictation tool for Claude Code?The best dictation for Claude Code is usually the built-in /voice, which needs no extra app and is tuned for coding words. It sends your audio to Anthropic, so when /voice cannot run, or your audio must stay on your computer, use a system-wide dictation app and check that its speech processing happens on your device.
- What is the best speech to text extension for Chrome?There is no single best speech to text extension for Chrome. For many people the best first choice is the dictation already on their computer, because its requirements come from Microsoft and Apple's own documentation. If you need an extension, choose one that uses the activeTab permission, and read its store listing and privacy policy before you install it.
- What is the best speech to text software for Linux?There is no single best app, because your display session decides which typing method works. On Ubuntu 26.04 with GNOME on Wayland, Handy is the choice to start with, since its setup guide was tested on that configuration. On an X11 session, nerd-dictation is the command-line option to try, and Canonical's Myna is an opt-in option to test.
- What is the difference between ChatGPT dictation and voice mode?ChatGPT dictation writes your speech into the message box as text, so you can read and edit it before you send. ChatGPT voice mode is a live spoken conversation in which the app answers out loud. Use dictation when you want to review the prompt first, and voice mode when you want a back-and-forth conversation.
- What is the difference between Dictate and Transcribe in Word?**Dictate** types your speech into the document as you say it. **Transcribe** turns a recording into a transcript, which you review and then add to the document yourself. Use Dictate to write live, and Transcribe when you already have audio.
- What is the keyboard shortcut for Dictate in Word on Windows?In Word for Windows, the shortcut for Dictate is **Alt+H**, then **D**, or **Alt+`** (the backquote key). Microsoft gives both in its instructions for Word on Windows. Windows+H starts Windows voice typing, a separate system tool, not Word's Dictate.
- What is the keyboard shortcut for Google Docs voice typing?The shortcut for Google Docs voice typing is Ctrl + Shift + S on Windows and Command + Shift + S on a Mac. Google's shortcut list labels it as available in Chrome browsers, while its voice typing help page lists Chrome, Edge and Safari, so test the shortcut in Edge or Safari before you rely on it.
- What languages does Claude dictation support?Claude dictation depends on the app. The iOS and Android apps list 12 languages, with support beyond English still in beta, and Claude Code lists 20, including all 12. The pages we read publish no language list for the Claude desktop app or the web, so test your language there before you rely on it.
- What languages does Google Docs voice typing support?Google Docs voice typing works in a long list of languages and accents on Google's current help page, and that list includes Hindi and two Urdu entries, Urdu (India) and Urdu (Pakistan). The editing commands work only in English, and punctuation phrases might not be available in every language, so check both before you start.
- What speech to text does ChatGPT use?OpenAI has not published which speech model the ChatGPT dictation button uses. Its release notes say a new speech-to-text model for dictation began rolling out in June 2026 without naming it, and its developer guide names whisper-1 for translation and gpt-transcribe for transcription in the API. Whisper is a speech model OpenAI publishes, but the pages we read do not say ChatGPT dictation runs on it.
- Where is the Dictate button in Word?In Word, the Dictate button is on the Home tab. You can also start it with Alt+H then D on Windows or Option + F1 on a Mac. If the button is missing, Microsoft's check is that you are signed in with an active Microsoft 365 subscription, and on an iPhone or iPad you tap the microphone icon.
- Where is voice typing in Google Docs?On a computer, open a document in Chrome, Edge or Safari, choose Tools, then Voice typing, and click the microphone. The shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + S on Windows or Command + Shift + S on a Mac, but Google lists it for Chrome, so test it in Edge or Safari before you rely on it.
- Which browsers support speech recognition?Chrome and Edge support the Web Speech API's speech recognition most broadly. Safari supports it only for visitors who have Siri turned on, and Firefox has no numbered stable release that supports it, so give Firefox users a typed fallback.
- Which versions of Word have Dictate?Dictate is a Microsoft 365 feature, and Microsoft says it needs an active subscription and a sign-in. Office 2016 and 2019 for Windows do not have it without a subscription. Word 2021 and 2024 appear in Microsoft's list of versions, but its text still requires a subscription, so do not count on a one-time copy.
- Why does Word dictation keep stopping?The Microsoft pages we read give no silence timeout for Word's Dictate, so an automatic stop after a pause is unconfirmed. The causes Microsoft's pages do describe are a spoken stop or pause command, a press of Alt+` that switches the microphone off, a microphone Word cannot hear, and a missing connection or sign-in.
- Why is ChatGPT dictation not working?ChatGPT dictation usually fails in one of three places: the microphone never reaches the app, the recording does not upload, or the transcript comes back empty. OpenAI's help pages we read do not list fixes for the microphone button, so start by checking the microphone and the connection, then test with a short prompt before you try a long one.
- Why is Claude Code voice dictation not working?Claude Code voice dictation usually fails for one of four reasons: you are not signed in with a claude.ai account, an API key or third-party provider setting overrides that sign-in, your terminal has no microphone permission, or the session has no local microphone, as in SSH or a cloud session. Run /login, remove the API key setting, allow your terminal under Privacy & Security > Microphone, and run /voice again.
- Why is Claude dictation not working?Claude dictation fails in different ways depending on where you use it. The desktop app has two reported failures from 2026, a dictation that never transcribes on macOS and one that works only on the first try after launch on Windows, and both bug reports were closed without a fix. Check the microphone permission, restart the app, and fall back to the mobile or web app while you test.
- Why is Dictate greyed out in Word?Microsoft's troubleshooting names one cause for a greyed-out Dictate button: the document is in a read-only state. If the button is missing altogether, the check is your Microsoft 365 sign-in. Connected experiences is a setting to test next, but Microsoft does not say that turning it off greys the button.
- Why is Dictate not working in Outlook?Microsoft's help documents these causes. The Dictate button is missing when the account has no Microsoft 365 subscription, and no text appears when the microphone is muted, unplugged or in use by another app. A weak internet connection causes missed words, and Microsoft announced in 2024 that it would retire Dictation from the Outlook app on iPhone and Android.
- Why is Dictate not working in PowerPoint?The button can be missing because your Microsoft 365 subscription or Windows version does not qualify, or greyed out because the file is read-only. Dictate can also report no microphone access when another app is using the microphone, and it needs a reliable internet connection.
- Why is Dictate not working in Word?When Dictate in Word turns on but types nothing, or types the wrong words, Microsoft's checks point to two groups of causes: the microphone is muted, missing or in use by another app, or the internet connection is not reliable. If you cannot see the Dictate button at all, check the Microsoft 365 sign-in. Test the microphone first, then the connection.
- Why is dictation not working in Chrome?Dictation in Chrome usually fails for one of four reasons: the site's microphone permission is blocked, Windows or macOS does not let Chrome use the microphone, the wrong microphone or input level is selected, or the recognition path cannot reach its service. Check the site permission first, then the computer's microphone access, then the input and the connection.
- Why is dictation not working in Excel?Dictation in Excel most likely fails when the cell is not in edit mode, so nothing is ready to receive the words, or when the microphone or internet connection is not working. Microsoft's Applies To list for Dictate does not include Excel, so select the cell, press F2, then start Windows voice typing or Mac Dictation and test with one short phrase.
- Why is dictation not working in Gmail?Dictation in Gmail fails for the same reasons it fails in other text boxes. Check in this order: the system's dictation is turned on, the right microphone is selected and not muted, the cursor is in the message body, and Chrome has not blocked the microphone for the site or extension you are using.
- Why is dictation not working in the new Outlook?The causes Microsoft documents for Dictate in new Outlook are the account, the microphone and the connection. The Dictate button exists only for Microsoft 365 subscribers, so a missing button points to the account. If nothing appears as you speak, check that the microphone is plugged in, unmuted and not used by another app, and that you are on a reliable internet connection.
- Why is dictation not working on my Chromebook?Dictation on a Chromebook needs four things: it must be turned on, the cursor must be in an editable text field, the language you speak must match the device language, and it must still be listening. It also turns itself off after a short silence. Check these four in that order before you look for other causes.
- Why is Dragon not working in Chrome, Word or Outlook?Dragon can fail in Chrome when its web extension is missing, switched off, in a private window or in a browser that Nuance does not list for your version. In Word or Outlook, Office may have disabled an add-in, or your version may have a bug that Nuance fixed later. Check the extension first, then the Office add-in list, then update Dragon, because Nuance's version 15.3 and 16.1 notes list fixes. We could not find one Nuance page that explains all three failures.
- Why is Google Docs voice typing not working?Check four things in this order: a browser on Google's list, microphone access allowed in Chrome, a microphone that Docs can hear, and English for editing commands. The first two stop voice typing from starting at all, so check them before anything else.
- Why is Teams meeting transcription greyed out or not working?Microsoft's help pages do not describe a greyed-out transcription button, so no single cause is confirmed. The documented reasons transcription is unavailable are a meeting policy with transcription off, an organizer who has turned off Copilot, a person who lacks the permission to transcribe, and a license that does not include it. An admin can check your account with the Teams transcripts diagnostic.
- Why is voice typing missing in Google Docs?Voice typing is missing in Google Docs for three likely reasons: the browser is not one Google lists (Chrome, Edge or Safari), an administrator may have turned the feature off for your organization, or you are on a phone, where Google's steps do not apply. Google's help page still described the feature in its copy archived on 10 October 2026, so the feature had not been removed by then.
Terms in this topic
- Connected experiences (Microsoft 365)Connected experiences are Microsoft 365 features backed by cloud services, and Dictate is one of the experiences that analyze your content. You can turn them off in Manage Settings, but that setting also turns off other services.
- CursorlessCursorless is a spoken language for structural code editing that lets developers code by voice. Every command is an action performed on a target in the code, and it runs on Talon with a VS Code extension.
- Dictate (Microsoft 365)Dictate is the speech-to-text feature in Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. It needs a Microsoft 365 subscription, a microphone and a reliable internet connection.
- Dictation (ChromeOS)Dictation on ChromeOS is a built-in accessibility feature that types recognized speech into an editable field. You turn it on with Search + D or the microphone icon in the status tray.
- Site microphone permissionSite microphone permission is the browser's setting for each website that decides whether that site may use your microphone, usually chosen when the browser prompts you. It works alongside the operating system's own microphone setting, so both must allow the microphone before a site can listen.
- Talon VoiceTalon Voice, usually called Talon, is hands-free input software for writing, coding, browsing and gaming. It runs alongside a speech-recognition engine, and it is used for voice coding, often together with the Cursorless editing language.
- Text insertionText insertion is the step where dictation software places recognized words into the text field that has the cursor. It is done either by simulating keystrokes or by pasting the text from the clipboard.
- Transcribe (Microsoft 365)Transcribe is a Word for Microsoft 365 feature that turns an uploaded audio file into text in the Transcribe pane, rather than typing your speech into the document. Its monthly limits depend on your license.
- Vibe codingVibe coding is building software by describing what you want to an AI model and accepting the code it writes, without reviewing that code. Andrej Karpathy introduced the term, and the developer Simon Willison argues for a narrower meaning than the broad one now in use.
- Voice codingVoice coding, also called programming by voice or coding by voice, is writing and editing source code by speaking instead of typing. It needs a speech-recognition engine and a separate platform that turns spoken words into code editing actions.
- Voice typing (Google Docs)Voice typing in Google Docs is a built-in speech-to-text tool that types as you speak. You start it from the Tools menu in a supported browser, and the browser controls the speech-to-text service.
- WaylandWayland is the display system that Linux desktops are moving to in place of the X Window System, called X11. Its compositor delivers input to each app, so a typing tool that worked on X11 may not type on a Wayland desktop.
- Web Speech APIThe Web Speech API is a set of browser interfaces that let a web page start speech recognition and receive the recognized words as text, through an object called SpeechRecognition. Where the recognition runs, on your device or on a server, depends on the browser.
Referenced by
- Dictation and Voice Typing: How to Talk Instead of TypeTopic
- Mac Dictation: How to Dictate and Control a Mac by VoiceTopic
- Dictation on Windows: Voice Typing, Voice Access, AppsTopic
- Dictation and Voice to Text on iPhone and AndroidTopic
- Speech to Text Privacy: Where Your Voice GoesTopic
- Google Docs Voice Typing: How to Use It and Its LimitsGuide
- Dictate in Word: Voice Typing on Web, Windows and MacGuide
- How to Dictate Into Any App: Built-in vs System-WideGuide
- Dictate Emails in Outlook and GmailGuide
- Dictation Not Working? How to Fix It on Any DeviceGuide
- Speech to Text in Chrome: Built-in Options and ExtensionsGuide
- Dictation in ChatGPT and Claude: Speaking Your PromptsGuide
- Dictate in PowerPoint, OneNote and ExcelGuide
- Voice Coding: How to Program by VoiceGuide
- Voice Input for Claude Code, Cursor and AI Coding ToolsGuide
- Voice to Text in Teams, Slack and NotionGuide
- Web Speech API: Speech Recognition in the BrowserGuide
- Can Google Docs transcribe an audio file?Question
- Can you dictate in Notion?Question
- Does Chromebook dictation work offline?Question
- Does Microsoft Teams have speech to text?Question
- Does Serenade still work for voice coding?Question
- Does the Web Speech API send audio to Google?Question
- Does Word Dictate use AI?Question