Google Docs by voice
Talk into the document, and DanDin writes a tidy paragraph with its punctuation, no voice commands needed.
Yes, you can voice type in Google Docs on a computer in two ways: Voice typing in the Tools menu inside Docs, or DanDin. Google’s tool supports Arabic, but it works only inside Docs and in certain browsers, and punctuation there comes from voice commands that work in English only. DanDin works with the same key in Docs and in every other app, adds commas and full stops itself, and drops the "um"s and repeats.
How to voice type in Google Docs
On a Mac
- Open the document in Chrome or Safari and click where you want to write.
- If Voice typing from the Tools menu is on and its mic is red, turn it off first.
- Hold Fn, say the whole paragraph, then let go.
- If no text appears, click once in the document and try again: the Docs window has to be the one in front.
On Windows
- Open Docs in Chrome or Edge and put the cursor in the document.
- Hold Ctrl + Win and talk. Settings also lets you use the right Alt or right Ctrl key instead.
- Let go, and the words are typed at the cursor.
- For a long summary, set the activation mode to Toggle and talk for up to 30 minutes in one dictation.
An example in Google Docs
Lecture notes
You say
summary of today’s lecture the professor focused on three things first the causes of World War One second the alliances third uh third the results of the Treaty of Versailles
DanDin types
Summary of today’s lecture: the professor focused on three things: 1. The causes of World War One. 2. The alliances. 3. The results of the Treaty of Versailles.
Docs voice typing or DanDin?
Google has a free tool inside Docs. Here is what Google’s own help page says about it, next to what DanDin does:
| DanDin | Docs voice typing | |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | Arabic and English, with Arabic + English as the default mode | Yes: Arabic plus 14 country variants, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Morocco [1] |
| Where it works | In any app on Mac and Windows, Docs included | Inside Docs and Slides speaker notes, in the latest Chrome, Edge and Safari [2] |
| Punctuation and commands | Adds commas and full stops itself, no commands | Voice commands in English only, and the account and document language must be English [3] |
| Who turns your voice into text | A self-hosted speech engine chosen and tested for Arabic dialects | Your web browser [4] |
If you write in Docs only, keep it short and add punctuation by hand, Google’s free tool is enough. If you want tidy text with no commands, or the same thing in WhatsApp, Word and the rest, try DanDin.
Where these facts come from
Every cell in the second column is taken from that company’s own page. Here is the text as we read it, the link, and the day we read it.
[1] Google Docs Help: Type and edit with your voice, language list
Voice typing works in these languages and accents: Afrikaans, Amharic, Arabic, Arabic (Algeria), Arabic (Bahrain), Arabic (Egypt), ... Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Arabic (Tunisia), Arabic (United Arab Emirates), ...
https://support.google.com/docs/answer/4492226?hl=en (read )
[2] The same page, the top
You can use your voice to type and edit your document in Google Docs and your speaker notes and captions in Google Slides. This feature works with the latest versions of: Chrome, Edge, Safari
https://support.google.com/docs/answer/4492226?hl=en (read )
[3] The same page, the punctuation section
Voice commands are available only in English. The account language and document language must both be English.
https://support.google.com/docs/answer/4492226?hl=en (read )
[4] The same page, the top
When you turn on voice typing or captions, your web browser controls the speech-to-text service.
https://support.google.com/docs/answer/4492226?hl=en (read )
Good to know in Google Docs
- The document has to be open with the cursor blinking in it. DanDin does not open the document or pick the spot.
- It types plain text. Headings, bold and comments come from Docs’ own tools.
- Docs on your phone is not covered: DanDin is for the computer only.
- It needs the internet, like Google’s tool.
Common questions
How do I turn on voice typing in Google Docs?
Google’s tool: open the document in Chrome, Edge or Safari, then Tools, then Voice typing, and click the mic. DanDin: click in the document, hold the start key and talk.
Does Google voice typing support Arabic?
Yes. Google’s page lists Arabic plus 14 country variants. But the voice commands, like "comma" and "new line", work in English only.
Why is Voice typing missing from the Tools menu?
According to Google, the tool works in the latest Chrome, Edge and Safari, and your organization’s admin may have turned it off. DanDin does not need the menu, because it types at the cursor in any browser.
Does it work in Google Sheets and Slides?
Yes, anywhere there is a text box: click into a cell in Sheets or a text box in Slides, then use the start key.