How to dictate in Google Docs and Microsoft Word

Google Docs and Microsoft Word both have a dictation button of their own. In Google Docs it is Tools > Voice typing and it is free. In Word it is Home > Dictate and it needs a Microsoft 365 subscription. Both need an internet connection.

Dictate in Google Docs

Open a document in Google Docs on a computer.
Choose Tools > Voice typing. A microphone box appears.
Click the microphone and speak.
Click it again to stop.

Things to know:

Browsers. Google lists the latest versions of Chrome, Edge and Safari. The browser provides the speech-to-text service, so results can differ between them.
Languages. Voice typing works in many languages.
Voice commands are English only. Editing and formatting by voice works only when both your account language and the document language are English.
Slides. In Google Slides, Tools > Dictate speaker notes does the same for presenter notes, without voice commands.

These steps are for a computer. On a phone or tablet, use the microphone on your keyboard: see iPhone or Android.

Dictate in Microsoft Word

Sign in to Microsoft 365 and open a document.
Go to Home > Dictate.
Wait for the button to show it is listening, then speak.

Things to know:

Subscription. Microsoft states: "The dictation feature is only available to Microsoft 365 subscribers."
Where it works. Word and PowerPoint on Windows and Mac, Outlook, OneNote, Word for the web, and Word on iPhone and Android phones.
Connection. Dictate needs a microphone and a reliable internet connection. Speech is sent to Microsoft to be turned into text; Microsoft says the service does not store your audio or the transcribed text.
Languages. Fifteen supported languages, plus 36 that Microsoft labels preview, which may be less accurate. Automatic punctuation is a toggle where the language supports it.

Word can also transcribe a recording

This is different from dictation. Under Home > Dictate > Transcribe, Word accepts an existing audio file, or records one, and returns a transcript that you can add to the document.

Limit. A Microsoft 365 subscription includes 300 minutes of uploaded audio per month.
Formats. .wav, .mp4, .m4a and .mp3.
Where. Word for Windows and Word for the web. Microsoft says Transcribe only works in the new Microsoft Edge and Chrome.
Storage. The recording is saved to a "Transcribed Files" folder in your OneDrive, and the audio is sent to Microsoft for processing.

If you already pay for Microsoft 365, it is a reasonable way to transcribe the occasional interview. If the recording should not be uploaded, use an app that transcribes on your own computer or phone instead; the offline and private guide explains the difference.

Google Docs or Word: which to use

	Google Docs	Word
Menu	Tools > Voice typing	Home > Dictate
Cost	Free	Microsoft 365 subscription
Works offline	No	No
Languages	Many	15, plus 36 in preview
Transcribes a recording	No	Yes, 300 minutes a month

Neither is tied to its own app as much as it seems. System dictation on Mac, Windows and phones types into Docs and Word too, and on some devices it works offline.

Frequently asked questions

Is voice typing in Google Docs free?

Yes. It is under Tools > Voice typing in Google Docs on a computer, in the latest Chrome, Edge or Safari.

Why is Dictate greyed out or missing in Word?

Dictate is only available to Microsoft 365 subscribers who are signed in, and it needs an internet connection and a microphone.

Can Word turn an audio file into text?

Yes, with Home > Dictate > Transcribe in Word for Windows or Word for the web. A Microsoft 365 subscription includes 300 minutes of uploaded audio a month, in .wav, .mp4, .m4a or .mp3.

Can I use voice commands in Google Docs in other languages?

No. Google says voice commands are available in English only. Dictating plain text works in many languages.

Sources

Last checked November 9, 2026