To dictate in Word on a Mac, click Dictate (the microphone) on the Home tab, allow microphone access, and start speaking. Say punctuation such as “comma” or “new line”, and click Dictate again to stop. Word’s Dictate needs a Microsoft 365 subscription and an internet connection. Without it, use macOS Dictation: press the Dictation key (or Fn twice) in any document.
Quick Answer
Home > Dictate > allow the microphone > speak. Or use macOS Dictation: System Settings > Keyboard > Dictation on, then press the Dictation key.
Method 1: Word’s Dictate Button
- Sign in to Word with a Microsoft 365 account.
- Click where you want the text.
- On the Home tab, click Dictate. Allow Word to use the microphone the first time.
- Speak clearly. Say punctuation aloud.
- Click Dictate again, or pause, to stop.
Method 2: macOS Dictation
- Open System Settings > Keyboard and turn on Dictation.
- In Word, click where you want the text.
- Press the Dictation key (microphone on newer keyboards) or press Fn twice, depending on your shortcut setting.
- Speak, then press the key again or click Done.
Useful Voice Commands
| Say | Result |
|---|---|
| “comma”, “period”, “question mark” | Punctuation |
| “new line” / “new paragraph” | Line or paragraph break |
| “open quote” / “close quote” | Quotation marks |
| “undo” (Word Dictate) | Undoes the last dictation |
Troubleshooting
- Dictate is greyed out: Check you’re signed in with a Microsoft 365 account and online.
- Nothing is typed: Allow Word in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone.
- Wrong words: Use a headset microphone and choose the right language in Dictate’s settings (gear icon).
- On Windows? See enabling Dictate in Word or Transcribe for recordings.
Related: Turn off emoji autocorrect on a Mac.
Related: Turn on dictation on iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it work offline?
Word’s Dictate needs internet. macOS Dictation may work offline on some Macs and languages.
Can I dictate in other languages?
Yes. Choose the language in Dictate’s settings or in macOS Dictation settings.
Is my voice stored?
Word sends audio to Microsoft’s speech service to convert it. Check Microsoft’s privacy settings for details.
Summary
- Click Home > Dictate and allow the microphone.
- Speak and say punctuation aloud.
- Or use macOS Dictation with the Dictation key.
- Check microphone permissions if nothing appears.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.