Microsoft Word is used more than any other word processing program. Most people have experience with its basic use, but many of Microsoft Word features are unknown to users. This is meant to introduce you to two useful functions in Microsoft Word.
Speech Recognition
Basic navigation on MS can be done by voice command instead of your mouse. You can also dictate text by using your own voice. Speech Recognition will have to be installed if you haven’t already done so.
How to install Speech Recognition
- Click the Tools menu.
- Click Speech and following instructions for installation.
Once Speech Recognition has been installed you must train it to recognize your voice and your commands. You can do this by:
- Click Control Panel.
- With windows in Classic view, double click Speech.
- In Category view click Sounds, Speech, and audio devices.
- Click Speech.
- Follow directions to train Speech Recognition.
* On some computers, double click Speech then Train Profile button. Then follow directions.
In order to use Speech Recognition, you will need to use the Language bar. If your Microsoft Word does not show the Language bar you will need to display it.
To display language tool bar
- Click start.
- Click Control Panel.
With control panel in classic view, double click Regional and language Options. - In category view, click Date, Time, Language and regional Options.
- Click Regional and Language Options.
- Click Languages tab.
- Click Details.
- Click the Language Bar in the Text Services And Input Languages box.
- Click Show The Language Bar On The Desktop.
- Click OK on all open dialog boxes.
The language bar will now be displayed on your desktop.
Hide language tool bar
You can hide the tool bar when it is not in use by clicking the minimize button at the far right on the language tool bar.
Restore language tool bar
To restore the language tool bar, click the language indicator button in the status area. (The letters EN inside a small box.)
Listening to your written work
Once you have finished your article, you will want to proof read it. The speech option is a handy tool once you have checked your spelling. Hearing your text read aloud helps to find errors, errant words, and punctuation mistakes.
To use speech
- Display the language tool bar.
- Click Speak and Microsoft Word will begin to reading aloud your article.
15 Responses
Thank you Darlene. I never tried this myself.
This is new to me. Thanks for sharing.
Interesting artice, Darlene. I did try this a while ago but it didn’t seem to like my accent! I spent more time corecting it than anything else. I wonder if it has improved with more recent versions of Word?
Awesome, I must explore this option! Thanks Darlene..
I may have a problem with that because of my accent, don’t you think so? Thank you for the information. I’ll give it a try; I didn’t know about this.
By the way, thank you for your kind words in regards to my short story The Visit.
I will give it a go, if it listens and doesn’t answer back it will be a dream, great article
Unofre, Eunice, Louie, Icy, Balzac, and Glynis, thank you all for taking the time to read my article.
MW is a multilingual program that can be set for whatever language you prefer including British. I sent a message for re-configuring MW to those who will need to change the way MW reads and understands vocabulary.
Thank you for your support.
Darene
Very interesting read. Thanks Darlene for sharing.
very interesting option..i never even thought of it…thanks for this information.
Thanks for the info , Darlene, but my computer is so old I’m afraid I’ll have to wait untill I get a new one. Sounds wonderful though.
Darlene,
You just told me something I didn’t know. I thought computers had to be special built just for voice recognition. Great article, Darlene!!!!! I’ll definitely have to get this done. I’ve always wanted to hear one of my poems or stories read! Maybe now I can! Again, Great article, Darlene!!!! Keep up the good work.
Randy
i never knew you could do this!
Thanks this for sharing.
Very good option here, Darlene! Take care!
Great Article Darlene. I love the new Microsoft 2007. It’s very useful to me considering I write all of my articles and college papers with it.