How to Dictate in Excel | 2 Efficient Ways

Is It Possible to Dictate in Excel

The answer is YES. Dictation in Excel is a quick and efficient way for users to enter data, calculations, and commands by speaking rather than typing. A powerful speech-to-text application is the best option for individuals needing the maximum Excel transcription accuracy. Similarly, Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) is another feasible method. Please scroll down to find more details.

#1. Dictate in Excel on Windows/Mac with a Speech to Text Tool🔥

Based on our assessment, the most effective way is to use versatile third-party tools like EaseUS RecExperts. Its AI Assistant feature allows this screen recorder to transcribe audio or video to text. In short, if you've recorded Excel screens on Windows 10 or 11 with system sound and a microphone with EaseUS RecExperts, you can initiate video to text transcription directly because you don't have to upload your previously captured Excel screen recordings to this program. Similarly, EaseUS RecExperts can record voice on Microsoft Word 2010, too.

Moreover, its microphone noise reduction can reduce or eliminate the background noise during your Excel recording, improving your Excel transcription accuracy.

Key features:

• Enable audio/video-to-text transcription like transcribing Zoom meetings, audio/video file import, audio extraction from videos, microphone noise reduction, etc.
• Record Excel, Word, or PowerPoint presentations with a webcam and microphone.
• Release full-screen recording, selected region recording, schedule recording, auto-stop and auto-split, etc.

Please refer to the following steps to transcribe Excel audio/video to texts using EaseUS RecExperts.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS RecExperts and enter the list of recordings in the lower left corner of the UI.

Step 2. Choose the video you want to convert and then right click on the video. Then click on Edit and AI Assistant.

Step 3. Choose the language according to your own needs. Or you can change the default file location as you like. Then click on Start.

Step 4. It will automatically help you convert the video to text. You just need to wait a few seconds, as the time depends on the size of a video file.

Step 5. After that, you will get a txt file. Open it, you will find that the sound in the video has been accurately translated into text.

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#2. Dictate in Excel with Windows Speech Recognition

As the title suggests, this way closely connects to a Windows built-in feature, Windows Speech Recognition. Please note that if your Windows version is Win 11 22H2 and later, voice access will replace Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) in Sep 2024. It enables you to manage your computer using your voice alone, without needing a keyboard or mouse.

The following steps describe how to dictate in Excel via Windows Speech Recognition.

Step 1. Type Windows Speech Recognition in the search bar > select Open it.

You can also follow this path by Control Panel > Ease of Access > Speech Recognition > enable Text to Speech to confirm whether you use the voice and voice speed your PC automatically matches.

Step 2. To Set up Speech Recognition, after entering the interface, click Next > set up your micro > Adjust the volume of your microphone > go on until Your microphone is now set up > click Next.

Step 3. In the Improve speech recognition accuracy interface, Enable document review > click Next.

Step 4. Select Use manual activation mode in the Choose an activation mode > click Next.

Step 5. Select Start Tutorial as you see You can now control this computer by voice.

Step 6. Open a new Microsoft Excel file > place the cursor in your selected Excel cell > press Win + H on the keyboard to access the dictation feature > click the settings icon > enable Voice typing launcher to activate dictation.

Step 7. Speak to the micro clearly to enter data using voice commands. If your chosen cell becomes active, this feature will automatically transcribe spoken words into text.

After dictating in Excel, you'd better check the entered data, including numbers, texts, or formulas. Then you're ready to put this file in a safe location by clicking File > selecting Save or Save as.

Conclusion

How to dictate in Excel? In summary, you can adopt a versatile speech-to-text converter like EaseUS RecExperts or Windows Speech Recognition to dictate in Excel. Since the latter method has many restrictions, most users prefer EaseUS RecExperts due to its richer features, easy-to-follow operating steps, and friendly design.

FAQs about Dictation in Excel & Other MS Office

Since the dictation or transcription feature can reduce users' time and boost efficiency, this part lists several tips about dictation in Excel and other Microsoft Office.

1. How to use dictation in Excel on Mac?

Excel has a built-in dictation, which can be accessed by pressing the function key twice (fn) or selecting Edit > Start Dictation from the upper menu bar. Nevertheless, it doesn't work reasonably as expected in Microsoft Word for Mac.

2. How to dictate your documents in Word for Microsoft 365

Here, only Microsoft 365 subscribers rather than MS Word users can dictate documents in Word directly. Please refer to the following steps to dictate your documents in Word.

Step 1. Log into your Microsoft 365 account on a micro-enabled device > create a new or open an existing Word file > click Home > select Dictate.

Step 2. Wait for the Dictate button to turn on > start listening > speak to Word > it will automatically show up your dictated texts.

3. How to dictate your presentations and slide notes in PowerPoint?

Here are the steps.

Step 1. Sign in to your Microsoft account via a browser.

Step 2. Open your PowerPoint presentation > click Home > select Dictate > wait for the button to turn on > begin listening.

Step 3. Move your cursor to a placeholder or the slide notes > begin speaking to see text appear.

Step 4. Insert punctuation at any time by saying it directly > use the keyboard to correct mistakes without turning off the micro.

4. Dictation doesn't record in OneNote, how to fix it?

If you press the Dictate button and no text appears on the screen when you speak, and a red circle does not appear on top of the Dictate button, try the following fixes.

Fix 1. Go to a quiet room

Fix 2. Use a microphone or headset.

Fix 3. Check your Windows microphone.

Fix 4. Check your Internet connection.

Fix 5. Check your firewall.

Fix 6. Restart OneNote.

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