How to dictate your text in Microsoft OneNote - New Style Motorsport

  • You can dictate notes in almost all versions of Microsoft OneNote by clicking the microphone icon.
  • In OneNote for Windows 10, you’ll find the Dictate option on the Start menu.
  • If you’re using the mobile app for iPhone, iPad, or Android, you can use your keyboard’s built-in dictation feature.

For many writers, expressing their thoughts is much easier than writing them down. That’s why most writing apps and devices include a way to convert text to speech, including Microsoft OneNote.

How to dictate in Microsoft OneNote

Dictate is available in almost all versions of OneNote. The only versions of OneNote that don’t have it are the older standalone apps available for PC and Mac. This means that if you’re using OneNote for Windows 10, the OneNote web app, or any of the mobile apps, you have access to the feature.

The first time you use dictation, OneNote may ask for your permission to use your microphone. Make sure you accept the request.

OneNote for Windows 10 and the OneNote web app

To dictate text in OneNote for Windows 10 and the OneNote web app, open one of your notebooks and click where you want the text to appear on the page. Click House in the upper left corner, and then find and click the microphone icon on the right side of the toolbar. When a red circle appears on the microphone, it is recording.

The option

You will find the “Dictate” option inside the “Start” menu.

Microsoft; William Antonelli/Insider


When you want to stop recording, click the microphone icon again. You can also click the small arrow icon next to the microphone to specify the language to speak, which helps keep your dictation accurate.

Alternatively, you can press Windows key + H to use the speech-to-text accessibility feature that is built into all copies of Windows. This isn’t unique to OneNote, but it works just as well as the regular dictation feature.

OneNote for iPhone, iPad, and Android

In the mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android, you’ll only use the dictation feature that comes with your device’s keyboard. Open OneNote and tap where you want your text to appear. When your device’s keyboard appears, touch the microphone icon in the corner and start talking.

Dictation options built into Android and iPhone keyboards.

This is different from the microphone icon in the toolbar above your keyboard, which allows you to record audio files instead.

Microsoft; William Antonelli/Insider


How to insert an audio file into Microsoft OneNote

If instead of translating your words into text, you want to insert an exact recording of what you are saying, you can use the “Audio” function. It is available in all versions of OneNote.

In the desktop and iPad apps, click or tap Insert in the toolbar at the top of OneNote, and then find and select the Audio option. In the iPhone and Android phone apps, touch the microphone icon in the toolbar above your keyboard.

The OneNote for Windows 10 option that allows users to record and insert an audio file.

As with dictation, you’ll need to give OneNote access to your microphone.

Microsoft; William Antonelli/Insider


It will start recording your voice and everything you record will be saved in an audio file that will appear on the page.

Just click or tap on the audio file to start playing it.

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