Transcription for dictation

1. 1Press Record in the tool above (on your phone or computer) or record with your voice memo app.
2. 2Speak in full sentences, as if explaining to someone, and pause briefly between paragraphs.
3. 3Press Transcribe: the text comes out with capitalization and punctuation.
4. 4Review, fix proper names and download as Word to keep editing.

• Don't dictate punctuation. The model adds periods and commas automatically; if you say "new paragraph", it will appear as words.
• Record somewhere quiet with the microphone close: a phone a hand's width from your mouth works very well.
• Leave unusual names for the review. If you're unsure how something is spelled, keep talking and fix it later in the editor.
• One language per recording. If you mix languages, choose the main one when transcribing.
• Split long texts into several recordings (one per chapter or section): they'll be easier to review.

Windows, macOS, Google Docs and phone keyboards have live dictation, and it's handy for short sentences. But it keeps you in front of the screen and makes more mistakes on long takes. Recording and transcribing afterwards lets you dictate while walking or driving (hands-free), talk for 20 minutes without interruptions and keep the audio in case you want to check a sentence.

If you dictate client or patient information, remember files are deleted after 7 days and never used to train models, and check your profession's data-protection rules. For law-firm dictation, see also legal transcription; for quick notes, voice memos.

• Writers and journalists who draft by speaking.
• Professionals who dictate reports, minutes or emails between appointments.
• Students who dictate summaries and outlines to study.
• People who find handwriting or typing difficult.