Heavy typing work in Google Docs can sometimes get boring, but a new functionality from Google can help you kill the boredom. The search engine giant has equipped Chrome browser with a voice feature, a technology that enables its users to do all the typing work hands-free, with no keyboard required.
Google rolled out the Voice Typing feature in its document service. It, then just allowed users to dictate the text, while the feature for editing and the formatting required users to use a keyboard. Not anymore! Now, users can easily edit and format their documents with their voices. Here’s how to do it!
Read: How to set up Voice Typing in Google Docs
Type a document in Google Docs using Voice Typing Feature
To get started, go to Google Docs and click on ‘Blank’ to start a new document.
Next, select ‘Voice typing’ in the ‘Tools’ menu. A microphone box will be added in the left section of your computer screen space. Utter what comes to your mind as the first thought by clicking the microphone. Speak clearly, at an audible volume.
Now, to edit and format the document, for instance, to add a punctuation use these phrases to add punctuation to your text:
Period, Comma, Exclamation point, Question mark, New line, New paragraph
Punctuation works in the following languages only – German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Russian.
When you’re done, click the microphone again.
To correct mistakes while voice typing, simply say ‘Backspace’.
If you see an error message that bears the following text “We’re having trouble hearing you,” try the following:
- Move to a complete silent room
- Plug in an external microphone.
- Adjust the input volume on your microphone.
If you can’t get the microphone to work on your computer, do the following
Check your microphone settings in your computer system preferences.
Can I use my voice to type in Google Docs?
Yes, you can use your voice to type in Google Docs. For that, you do not need to use any extension or any third-party add-on. Google Docs natively support voice typing that you can enable by going to Tools > Voice typing. However, you need to allow the browser to use your microphone. Otherwise, it won’t detect the voice typing functionality. Following that, you can follow the aforementioned guide to get started with voice typing.
Ensure that your microphone is plugged in and is not being used by another application and restart your computer. Still, if the problem persists and voice commands aren’t working, try speaking more slowly and clearly or pause before and after each command.
