Turn on voice typing in Google Docs
- Open a document in a supported browser: recent versions of Chrome, Edge or Safari.
- Click Tools → Voice typing. A microphone box appears.
- Click the microphone when you're ready and speak at a normal pace.
- Click it again to stop.
You can fix a mistake without turning the mic off: move the cursor, correct it, move back. Words underlined in gray have suggested alternatives — right-click them.
If you don't see Voice typing, your organization's administrator may have turned it off.
Punctuation and voice commands
Say "period", "comma", "question mark", "exclamation point", "new line" or "new paragraph". Voice commands for editing and formatting ("select paragraph", "bold", "go to the end of the line") work only in English, and both your account language and document language must be English. Punctuation may not be available in every language.
Voice typing in Slides
In Google Slides, use Tools → Dictate speaker notes.
When Docs voice typing won't work
- "We're having trouble hearing you": check the mic is connected, not used by another app, and allowed in your system settings.
- Move somewhere quieter and restart the browser or computer.
- Make sure you're in a supported browser.
- For Windows-wide Win+H problems, see voice typing not working.
When a desktop dictation app helps
Docs voice typing only works inside Docs. If you also draft in Gmail, Slack, Word or AI chats, a desktop app gives you one shortcut everywhere — including Docs.
SayDart is voice typing for Windows and Mac (beta). Click into your document, press Right Alt on Windows or Right Option on Mac, talk and press it again. It never connects to your Google account.
- Automatic cleanup removes "um"s and restarts and adds punctuation.
- Dictionary for names and terms you use often.
- If text doesn't appear, copy it from History and paste.
- SayDart types what you say; add headings, bullets and tables in Docs as usual.
Docs voice typing vs SayDart
| Docs voice typing | SayDart | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Google Docs and Slides speaker notes | Almost any app or text field |
| Cost | Free | Modest weekly limit; Pro $15/mo or $144/yr ($12/mo billed yearly) |
| Formatting by voice | Yes (English) | No — type, then format in Docs |
| Filler-word cleanup | Not claimed by Google | Yes |
Writing in Word instead? See Word voice to text.
Pricing
SayDart is free to start. Pro is unlimited for $12/month, billed yearly ($144), or $15 month to month. Prices exclude tax.
Talk, don't type.
Open a Doc, press Right Alt (Right Option on Mac) and draft the next section by voice. SayDart is free to start.