Google Docs offers a handy voice typing feature that allows you to dictate text instead of typing it. This can save you time and effort when writing documents. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use voice typing to type a document in Google Docs.
Prerequisites
Before you can start using voice typing, you need:
- The latest version of the Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari web browser
- A microphone connected to your computer (built-in or external)
Step 1: Open a Document in Google Docs
Go to Google Docs in your web browser and either open an existing document or create a new one by clicking on the “+” icon and selecting “Document”.
Step 2: Activate Voice Typing
To activate voice typing:
- Click on “Tools” in the top menu
- Select “Voice typing” from the drop-down menu
Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + S (Windows) or ⌘ + Shift + S (Mac).
A microphone box will appear on the left side of the document.
Step 3: Set Up Your Microphone
Make sure your microphone is enabled and working properly before using voice typing:
- Allow access when your browser asks for microphone permissions
- Speak and check that the microphone icon briefly turns red to indicate it’s picking up audio input
If the microphone isn’t working, check your computer’s audio settings.
Step 4: Start Dictating
When you’re ready, click on the microphone icon to start dictation. The icon will turn red to indicate it’s listening.
Speak clearly in your normal tone and pace. Say what you want to appear in the document. When you’re done dictating, click the microphone again to stop.
Step 5: Add Punctuation and Formatting
To add punctuation or formatting with your voice:
- Say “comma”, “period”, “question mark” etc. to automatically insert punctuation
- Use commands like “new line”, “new paragraph”, or “insert header”
- Say “bold” before a word and “bold off” after to format text
See a full list of voice commands in Google Docs.
Step 6: Edit and Correct Mistakes
Google Docs does its best to transcribe your speech accurately, but mistakes can occur. Here’s how to edit voice typed text:
- Words underlined in gray are unsure transcriptions – hover over them to see alternate suggestions or manually correct them
- Say “delete that” or “scratch that” to remove the last thing you dictated
- Move your cursor to the incorrect text and edit by typing or using voice commands
Step 7: Wrap Up and Save
When you’ve finished dictating the document, look over the text to make final edits and corrections. Then give the document a title and save it by going to File > Save or using the Ctrl/⌘ + S shortcut.
The document will now contain all the text content you dictated using the voice typing feature! You can reopen it and use voice typing to add or edit content later on.
Tips for Effective Voice Typing
Follow these tips to get the most out of Google Docs’ voice typing when writing documents:
- Speak clearly and enunciate words properly
- Insert pauses between sentences and paragraphs
- Say punctuation marks explicitly to automatically add them
- Use voice commands for formatting, editing etc.
- Double check transcribed text for errors before saving
- Work in a quiet environment without too much background noise
With some practice, voice typing can save you tons of time and effort while writing in Google Docs!
Conclusion
Google Docs’ voice typing feature provides an easy way to get words on the page by dictating instead of typing. Following the steps outlined in this article, you can draft, edit and format documents just by using your voice.
Voice typing does take some getting used to, but with the right setup and environment plus these handy tips you can utilize it effectively to enhance your Docs workflow. Whether you want to give your hands a break or are simply a faster talker than typist, unleashing the power of voice in Google Docs can speed up your document creation significantly.
