Yap for Microsoft Word
Dictate into Word, even offline and without Microsoft 365.
Click into your document, hold one key and talk: Yap types what you say into Word, with punctuation, on your Mac or Windows PC. Your speech is recognized on the computer itself, so it works with any version of Word, without internet, and the same way in Outlook and every other app.
Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android. 3 days free with a free account, no card, then a 10-day trial with a card.
Side by side
Word’s Dictate and Yap.
| Question | Dictate in Word | Yap |
|---|---|---|
| What you need | A Microsoft 365 subscription; not in Office 2016 or 2019 for Windows without one. | Any version of Word on Windows 10 or 11, or Word for Mac (macOS 13 or later, Apple Silicon). |
| Internet | A reliable internet connection. | Not needed to dictate: up to 24 hours offline after each access check. |
| Where speech goes | Sent to Microsoft to produce the text; Microsoft says it does not store the audio. | Recognized on your computer. The audio is never uploaded. |
| Languages | 15 main languages plus previews, set to the document’s language. | 25 languages, detected from each recording. |
| Editing by voice | Commands such as “delete that” and “undo”. | None. It types what you say; you edit with the keyboard. |
| Other apps | Microsoft 365 apps only; on a Mac, Word and PowerPoint. | Every app with a text field: Outlook, Teams, browsers, your EHR or case software. |
| Price | Included with Microsoft 365. | $6.90 USD a month or $69 USD a year, after 3 free days. |
Being fair
When Word’s Dictate is enough.
- You have Microsoft 365 and are always online. Dictate is included at no extra cost; try it first.
- You want to edit by voice. Word’s commands let you delete and undo by speaking; Yap only types.
- You dictate in a language outside Europe. Word lists Chinese, Japanese and more; Yap covers English and 24 European languages.
Questions.
- Does Yap work in Word 2016, 2019 or 2021?
- Yes. Yap types into Word the way a keyboard does, so it works in any version on Windows 10 and 11, and in Word for Mac. Word's own Dictate needs a Microsoft 365 subscription; Microsoft says it is not available in Office 2016 or 2019 for Windows without one.
- Can I dictate in Word without internet?
- Not with Word's Dictate, which Microsoft describes as needing a reliable internet connection. Yap recognizes your speech on your computer, so it works offline for up to 24 hours after each successful access check.
- Can I edit by voice, like “delete that”?
- Not with Yap: it types what you say, with punctuation and capital letters, and you edit with the keyboard. Word's Dictate has voice commands such as “delete that” and “undo”.
- How do I start dictating in Word?
- Click where the text should go, hold Fn on a Mac or Ctrl + Win on Windows, speak, and let go. The same key works in Outlook, your browser and every other app.
- Do I need to set the language?
- No. Yap recognizes 25 languages, English and 24 European languages, and picks the language of each recording by itself, so you can write in German and reply in English without changing anything.
Comparing several apps? Read the best dictation software for Word.
From the library
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.