How to Use the Dictation Feature in Windows 10
First, this only works only for those of us in the USA … or if your computer is using U.S. English. If your using any other version of English, it won’t work… yet.
To use the dictation feature you must have microphone. Then you have to have a Word document (or similar if you don’t have MS Office). You can also use WordPad (type WordPad in the taskbar search and press Enter) or Notepad (type NotePad in the taskbar search & press Enter). We also tried it with Gmail and it works in the compose Window.
Once you have a blank document open and ready, press the Windows Key + H to bring up the dictation bar. When you see “listening” next to the microphone icon in the dictation bar, start speaking.
As soon as you start speaking the words will be “typed” in your document. Windows 10 Dictation does not “learn” your speech patterns or pronunciations like more advanced dictation software, so it does make errors. But at least now you know it is there and how to use it.
Please see the following commands available to use with the Windows 10 dictation feature. (The following instructions are directly from Microsoft see this page.)
| To do this | Say |
| Clear a selection | Clear selection; unselect that |
| Delete the most recent dictation result or currently selected text | Delete that; strike that |
| Delete a unit of text, such as the current word | Delete word |
| Move the cursor to the first character after a specified word or phrase | Go after that; move after word; go to the end of paragraph; move to the end of that |
| Move the cursor to the end of a unit of text | Go after word; move after word; go to the end of that; move to the end of paragraph |
| Move the cursor backward by a unit of text | Move back to the previous word; go up to the previous paragraph |
| Move the cursor to the first character before a specified word or phrase | Go to the start of the word |
| Move the cursor to the start of a text unit | Go before that; move to the start of that |
| Move the cursor forward to the next unit of text | Move forward to the next word; go down tothe next paragraph |
| Moves the cursor to the end of a text unit | Move to the end of the word; go to the end of the paragraph |
| Enter one of the following keys: Tab, Enter, End, Home, Page up, Page down, Backspace, Delete | Tap Enter; press Backspace |
| Select a specific word or phrase | Select word |
| Select the most recent dictation result | Select that |
| Select a unit of text | Select the next three words; select the previous two paragraphs |
| Turn spelling mode on and off | Start spelling; stop spelling |
Dictating letters, numbers, punctuation, and symbols
You can dictate most numbers and punctuation by saying the number or punctuation character. To dictate letters and symbols, say “start spelling.” Then say the symbol or letter, or use the ICAO phonetic alphabet.
To dictate an uppercase letter, say “uppercase” before the letter. For example, “uppercase A” or “uppercase alpha.” When you’re done, say “stop spelling.”
Here are the punctuation characters and symbols you can dictate (Read the rest of this on this Microsoft page.)
You don’t mention whether a microphone is required. I don’t have a microphone connected, because I haven’t needed one for what I co. and just out of curiosity will it work with TextMaker/BasicMaker?
Tony
I am sorry… I thought that the need for a microphone was understood. I’ve added it to the tip. I don’t know what TextMaker/BasicMaker is. It works with NotePad, WordPad, MsWord, and a couple other word processors. It sure wouldn’t hurt to try it.
Dictation needs an Internet Connection. In bandwidth deprived areas where service providers rip the wallet out of your hands every time you log on, this is not an option. Any alternatives?
There are literally dozens of dictation programs available. I am not familiar with them all. Most of the ones that do not require Internet connections, that I’m aware of at least, are not free. For instance, Braina is artificial intelligence software that has a speech-to-text feature that does not need an Internet connection – but the dictation feature does not work in the free version and the Pro version is $49/year. Read more about Braina here. Otherwise, you can do a search for text-to-speech software that does not require an Internet connection.