As a result, your Mac must be connected to the Internet, your words might not convert to text as quickly, and you can speak for no more than 40 seconds at a time (30 seconds in OS X Yosemite or earlier). Without Enhanced Dictation, your spoken words and certain other data are sent to Apple to be converted into text and help your Mac understand what you mean.

You can use additional dictation commands.

Your words might convert to text more quickly.

You can dictate without being connected to the Internet.

If it doesn't recognize your speech, learn what to do.Įnhanced Dictation is available in OS X Mavericks v10.9 or later.

Dictation learns the characteristics of your voice and adapts to your accent. The more you use Dictation, the better it understands you.

To stop dictating, click Done below the microphone icon, or press Fn, or switch to another window.Use dictation commands to add punctuation, formatting, and more. Speak the words that you want your Mac to type.Or choose Edit > Start Dictation. When your Mac is listening, it displays a microphone with an input meter that rises and falls as you speak: The default shortcut is Fn Fn (press the Fn key twice). Press the keyboard shortcut for starting dictation.Go to a document or other text field and place the insertion point where you want your dictated text to appear.Choose your preferred microphone from the pop-up menu below the microphone icon.Choose the keyboard shortcut you will use to signal that you're ready to start dictating.Some languages, such as English, have multiple dialects. Turn on Dictation, then choose from these Dictation options: Original article located at: Set up DictationĬhoose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Dictation & Speech.

List of apple dictation commands