Word Voice Dictation

Does Microsoft Word have built-in voice dictation?

Yes. Word has a Dictate button on the Home tab, and with a Microsoft 365 subscription it works well. If you write only in Word and only in one language, it may be all you need. Two things push people past it. It is Word-only, so the moment you move to Slack, your browser, or your email you are back to typing, and it does not learn your vocabulary. Aqua uses one key across every app on your machine, supports 49 languages, and takes a custom dictionary, so the names and terms specific to your work stop coming out wrong.

How to dictate in Microsoft Word with Aqua

1. Download Aqua for Mac or Windows and grant microphone access, plus Accessibility access on macOS.
2. Pick your hold-to-talk key in Aqua's settings.
3. Open your Word document and place the cursor where you want the text.
4. Hold your key, speak a paragraph, and release. Punctuation and capitalisation come out formatted.
5. Add proper nouns, client names, and field-specific terminology to your custom dictionary.

Tips for dictating in Microsoft Word

• Draft in long passes and edit after. A first draft you spoke in ten minutes beats a polished paragraph you typed in thirty.
• Speak in full sentences. Aqua punctuates from the shape of your speech, so trailing off mid-clause is what produces odd output.
• Field vocabulary belongs in the custom dictionary: legal, medical, and academic terms are exactly what a general model gets wrong.
• The same key works in comments and tracked changes, which is usually where the back-and-forth actually lives.

What you get

97.3% accuracy on AISpeak, SOC 2 Type II, and 49 languages, on Mac, Windows, and iPhone. Start free with 1,000 lifetime words. Pro is $8 a month billed annually.

Frequently asked questions

Does Word already have dictation?

Yes. Word has a built-in Dictate button on the Home tab with a Microsoft 365 subscription. Aqua's difference is that it works everywhere else too, supports 49 languages, and learns your vocabulary.

How is Aqua different from Word's Dictate?

One key across every app rather than one button in one app, plus a custom dictionary for your own names and terms, and 49 languages.

Does it work in comments and tracked changes?

Yes. Aqua types into whatever field has focus, including comment boxes.

Does it work on Windows?

Yes. Aqua runs on Mac, Windows, and iPhone. There is no Android app.

How much does it cost?

Starter is free with 1,000 lifetime words. Pro is $8 a month billed annually, and Team is $12 a month billed annually.