How to use voice typing on Windows
Whether you're looking to improve accessibility or simply work more efficiently, voice typing is a feature that's worth exploring.
Windows has a built-in speech recognition feature that lets you issue commands, dictate text, and even create documents using just your voice. Although this feature is tailored for users with disabilities who may struggle with traditional keyboard and mouse inputs, you can use it too if you just want the convenience.
With this feature enabled, you can be hands-free, dictating emails, documents, or even chatting with friends while multitasking. The dictation feature works hand in hand with the speech recognition feature, which is designed to learn your voice and respond accurately.
In this guide, we'll show you how to use voice typing on Windows 10. From setting up speech recognition to using dictation features, this guide is looking to improve accessibility.
Oyinebiladou Omemu
How to use voice typing on Windows
Step 1: Activate Online Speech Recognition.
- Go to Settings on your device.
- Click on Privacy.
- Click on Speech and enable Online speech recognition.
Step 2: Open the note app or document you want to dictate and hit the Windows + H keys.
- Now, if dictation is not available in the language set up in your settings, you'll get the error below. In this situation, you can go to settings and change your language to one supported by the dictation feature.
Step 3: When you start speaking, Windows will start dictating your words. While it is smart enough to know when to insert a period, you may have to specify certain punctuation actions using specific keywords.
List of Commands for Using Windows Voice Typing
- To use the @ symbol, say "at symbol." This works the same for most symbols, just prefix the symbol name to "symbol," for example, say "and symbol" to use the & symbol.
- If you want to use the * simply say "asterisk" or "star"
- To use any () symbol, signify by saying "left parenthesis" or "right parenthesis"
- For underscore, colon, comma, period, hyphen, backslash, forwardslash, semicolon, equal, space, question mark, you just say them as they are.
- To use the <> symbol, you say "open less than" or "close greater than" respectively.
- To use quotes, you say "open quotes" and "close quotes" respectively for single quotes. For double quotes, you say "open double quotes" and "close double quotes" respectively.
- To undo a phrase or action, simply say "undo that."
- To edit a sentence, you can move your cursor to any point by specifying the paragraph or word. Example: "move to the end of paragraph two" or "move after nutrition" or "Go to the start of nutrition"
- To select words, simply say "select paragraph two" or "select 'nutrition is necessary for development'"
- To delete, either say "delete selected" if it is previously selected. Or "delete 'nutrition'"
- To end the dictation, just say "end dictation."
Oyinebiladou Omemu
Conclusion
Voice typing on Windows is a powerful tool that can change the way you interact with your computer. With its built-in speech recognition feature, you can issue commands, dictate text, and create documents with ease. Whether you're looking to improve accessibility or simply work more efficiently, voice typing is a feature that's worth exploring.
By leveraging voice typing, you can unlock a whole new level of productivity and convenience. Imagine being able to dictate emails, documents, and messages while multitasking or on the go.
Image Credit: Oyinebiladou Omemu/Techloy.com
