How to Make Microsoft Word Type for You While You Read

A quality headset is essential for good computerized speech recogntion.

Using your voice to type text can speed up document creation and give your fingers a break. Windows 7 comes with a speech recognition program that allows you to dictate into Word and format text as you speak. The program's built-in commands help you navigate through documents, select text and even capitalize words. The speech recognition software is free and requires no installation. To begin controlling Word by using your voice, simply set up your microphone and train the program to recognize what you read out loud.

Instructions

Set up Microphone

1. Connect a microphone to your computer, and click the Windows "Start" menu button. Click "Control Panel" to open the Control Panel.

2. Type "speech recognition" (without the quotes) in the search box at the top of the Control Panel. The "Speech Recognition" icon appears. Click that icon to display the "Speech Configuration" panel.

3. Click "Set up Microphone" to open the microphone setup wizard.

4. Click one of the microphone types listed to select it. Choices are "Headset," "Desktop" and "Other."

5. Click "Next." The wizard walks you through a few steps that allow you to adjust microphone placement and volume.

6. Follow the instructions, and click "Finish" when done. The setup wizard closes and displays the "Speech Configuration" control panel.

Train Software

1. Click "Take Speech Tutorial. A full-screen tutorial opens. This tutorial teaches you how to use voice commands effectively.

2. Read the instructions on the first screen, and click "Next." Follow the instructions in the wizard as it walks you through the tutorial. Click "Finish" when the tutorial ends to return to the "Speech Configuration" panel.

3. Click "Train Your Computer to Understand You." Windows starts the "Speech Recognition Voice Training" wizard. This wizard listens to your speech and optimizes the software to work with your voice. It will ask you to read several passages displayed on-screen.

4. Follow the wizard's instructions, and complete the voice training exercise. Click "Finish" when done to begin using the speech recognition program.

Dictate to Word

1. Click the Windows "Start" menu button, and then type "Speech Recognition" (without the quotes) in the search box. The "Start Speech Recognition" icon appears.

2. Say a few words. Microsoft Word types the words you say. As you speak, Word might type words incorrectly. To correct a word, say, "Select that." Word will highlight the text you last dictated. Say a new word to replace the incorrect one.

3. Speak additional words as you experiment with the speech recognition program. Add punctuation in Word by saying punctuation symbols such as "Comma," "Colon" and "Apostrophe." To insert a new line, say "New line." Capitalize a word by saying "Caps" and the name of the word. For best results, speak clearly and distinctly as you dictate.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose "Other" if your microphone is built into another device or you use an array microphone.

• The Windows speech recognition program recognizes many other dictation commands you can use to control Word. To view those commands, type "Speech Recognition" (without the quotes) in the "Start" menu search box, and then click "Speech Recognition." Click "Open the Speech Recognition Reference Card," and click "Dictation." The reference card lists commands that allow you to insert paragraphs, control the cursor and select text by using your voice. To stop the program from listening to your voice, click the microphone icon on the speech recognition window at the top of your screen. The window will display the word "Off."

References

• Microsoft Office: What Happened to Speech Recognition? - Word
• Microsoft Windows: Set Up Speech Recognition

Resources

• Microsoft Windows: Use Speech Recognition to Operate Windows and Programs