Official documentation

Dictate your emails in Outlook (Microsoft Support)

Microsoft, Microsoft Support, 2026

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Read on October 16, 2026

What it is: Microsoft's steps for the Dictate button in new Outlook, classic Outlook and Outlook for Mac.
How much weight it carries: First-party support page. Menus change between Outlook versions.

Facts taken from this source

In classic Outlook, Microsoft says you start a new email or reply, select the message body, go to the Message tab and select Dictate, while signed in to Microsoft 365 on a device with a microphone.
“Start a New Email or reply in classic Outlook. Select the body of the message, go to the Message tab, and select Dictate while signed in to Microsoft 365 on a mic-enabled device.” (Steps, Classic Outlook)
Microsoft's Dictate your emails in Outlook article lists these products under Applies To: Outlook for Microsoft 365, Outlook for Microsoft 365 for Mac, Outlook 2024, Outlook.com, New Outlook for Windows and Outlook Web App. It lists no phone app.
“Applies To Outlook for Microsoft 365 Outlook for Microsoft 365 for Mac Outlook 2024 Outlook.com New Outlook for Windows Outlook Web App” (Applies To line under the page title)
Microsoft says that in new Outlook you start a new email or reply, select the body of the message, go to the Message tab and select Dictate.
“Go to the Message tab and select Dictate .” (Use the dictation feature)
Microsoft says the dictation feature in Outlook is only available to Microsoft 365 subscribers.
“The dictation feature is only available to Microsoft 365 subscribers” (Can't find the Dictate button?)
When Outlook dictation shows the message 'Another app is using your mic', Microsoft says to make sure no other application or web page is using the microphone, then try again.
“Make sure no other application or web page is using the microphone and try again.” (Troubleshooting, Microphone problems)
Microsoft's troubleshooting for Outlook dictation says that if nothing appears as you dictate, you should make sure your microphone is not muted.
“If nothing appears on the screen as you dictate: Make sure your microphone isn't muted” (Troubleshooting, 'Dictation can't hear you')
When Outlook dictation misses words or gets many words wrong, Microsoft says to make sure you are on a fast and reliable internet connection.
“If you see a lot of incorrect words or missed words: Make sure you're on a fast and reliable internet connection.” (Troubleshooting, Accuracy problems or missed words)
When Outlook dictation shows 'Mic issue', 'Can't detect mic' or 'Can't access mic', Microsoft says to make sure the microphone is plugged in and to test it.
“Make sure the microphone is plugged in. Test the microphone to make sure it's working.” (Troubleshooting, Microphone problems)
Microsoft says dictation in Outlook is speech-to-text that needs a microphone and a reliable internet connection.
“Dictation in Outlook lets you use speech-to-text to author content with a microphone and reliable internet connection” (Opening paragraph, dictation overview)
Microsoft says that in Outlook dictation you can speak commands to add punctuation and enter special characters, in addition to dictating your content.
“In addition to dictating your content, you can speak commands to add punctuation and enter special characters” ('What can I say?' section)
In Outlook for Mac, you start a new email or a reply, go to the Message menu and choose Dictate, while signed in to Microsoft 365 on a device with a microphone.
“In Outlook for Mac, start a New Email or reply to a message. Go to Message > Dictate while signed in to Microsoft 365 on a mic-enabled device.” (Dictate your emails in Outlook, Outlook for Mac steps)
In Outlook for Mac, Microsoft says you can start dictation with the keyboard shortcut Option + F1.
“You can also start dictation by using the keyboard shortcut: ⌥ (Option) + F1” (Outlook for Mac steps, Tip)
In new Outlook, Microsoft says you start a new email or reply, select the body of the message, go to the Message tab and select Dictate.
“Go to the Message tab and select Dictate” (Steps under 'Use the dictation feature to author an email in new Outlook')
Microsoft says languages marked as Preview in Outlook dictation might have lower accuracy or limited punctuation support.
“Preview Languages might have lower accuracy or limited punctuation support” (Supported languages list)
Microsoft says you resume dictation in new Outlook with the keyboard shortcut ALT+` or by pressing the Mic icon in the ribbon.
“To resume dictation, use the keyboard shortcut ALT+` or press the Mic icon in the ribbon” (Tip under the new Outlook steps)

Dictate your emails in Outlook (Microsoft Support)

Facts taken from this source

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Dictate your emails in Outlook (Microsoft Support)

Facts taken from this source

Pages that rest on this source