Official documentation
Dictate your notes in OneNote
Microsoft Support, 2026
Read the originalRead on October 17, 2026
- What it is
- Microsoft's support article on Dictate in OneNote. It lists the platforms and versions the feature applies to, the Home > Dictate steps for Windows, the web and Mac, the command list and the troubleshooting steps.
- How much weight it carries
- Official Microsoft documentation with a section for each platform. It does not describe audio recording or transcription, and it marks some languages as preview languages with lower accuracy.
Facts taken from this source
- Microsoft's Dictate article for OneNote applies to OneNote for Microsoft 365 for Mac, OneNote 2024, OneNote 2021, OneNote 2016 and the OneNote web app.
“OneNote for Microsoft 365 OneNote for Microsoft 365 for Mac OneNote 2024 OneNote 2021 OneNote 2016 OneNote OneNote Web App” (Applies To)
- Microsoft says the commands marked with an asterisk in its OneNote Dictate list work only in the web version of OneNote.
“Items marked with * are only available in the web version of OneNote.” (What can I say? (Creating lists and tables))
- Microsoft describes Dictate in OneNote as a quick way to create drafts, capture notes and make comments.
“a quick and easy way to create drafts, capture notes, and make comments” (Introduction)
- Microsoft says to go to Home, then Dictate, while signed into Microsoft 365 on a device with a microphone, then wait for the button to turn on before you speak.
“Go to Home > Dictate while signed into Microsoft 365 on a mic-enabled device.” (How to use dictation)
- On a Mac, Microsoft says you go to Home, then Dictate, while signed into Microsoft 365 on a device with a microphone.
“Go to Home > Dictate while signed into Microsoft 365 on a mic-enabled macOS device.” (How to use dictation (macOS))
- Microsoft's OneNote Dictate troubleshooting says that when there is no microphone access, you should make sure no other application or web page is using the microphone and try again.
“Make sure no other application or web page is using the microphone and try again.” (Troubleshooting: Microphone doesn't have access)
- On its OneNote page, Microsoft says Dictate is not available in Office 2016 or 2019 for Windows without Microsoft 365.
“Dictate is not available in Office 2016 or 2019 for Windows without Microsoft 365” (Troubleshooting: Can't find the dictate button)
- Microsoft says that if the Dictate button is grayed out in OneNote, you should make sure the note is not in a read-only state.
“Make sure the note is not in a Read-Only state.” (Troubleshooting: Dictate button is grayed out)
- Microsoft's OneNote Dictate command table includes 'show help', 'pause dictation' and 'exit dictation'.
“show help pause dictation exit dictation” (What can I say?)
- Microsoft's OneNote Dictate troubleshooting says to make sure you have Windows 10 or higher when you cannot find the Dictate button.
“Make sure you have Windows 10 or higher” (Troubleshooting: Can't find the dictate button)
- Microsoft says some OneNote Dictate commands, marked with an asterisk, are available only in the web version of OneNote.
“Items marked with * are only available in the web version of OneNote.” (Creating lists and tables (Web only))