Type with your voice on a Mac using Dictation

Why it happens

Your Mac can turn what you say into text in almost any place you can type: emails, documents, messages, web forms. Dictation is off until you switch it on once. It's a great help for long writing, sore hands or arthritis.

How to fix it

1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click Keyboard in the sidebar and scroll down to Dictation. Turn Dictation on, and click Enable if your Mac asks.

   Keyboard›Dictation

2. While you're there, check the Languages list shows the language you'll speak, and note the Shortcut. That's the key press that starts Dictation on your Mac.

   Keyboard›Dictation›Shortcut

3. Click in any text box where you want the words to go, such as a new note or an email.

4. Press the Microphone key in the top row of newer Mac keyboards, use your Shortcut, or choose Edit > Start Dictation from the app's menu. A small microphone appears by your cursor.

5. Speak normally. Say punctuation if you want it, like "comma", "full stop" or "period", and "new line". Press Escape, or the Microphone key again, to stop.

Still not fixed?

1. If your words don't appear, check the Microphone source pop-up under Dictation and choose the microphone you're using, such as your MacBook's built-in one or your headset.

2. If it types in the wrong language, open Languages under Dictation and add or tick the language you speak.

   Keyboard›Dictation›Languages

3. If punctuation appears where you don't want it, or not at all, turn Auto-punctuation off or on in the same section.

   Keyboard›Dictation›Auto-punctuation

4. If you'd like to control the whole Mac by voice, not just type, look at Voice Control in Accessibility settings.

   Accessibility›Voice Control›Voice Control

5. If Dictation never hears you with any microphone, test the built-in microphone in another app, like a voice memo. If it records nothing there either, contact Apple Support or a repair shop, since the microphone may have a hardware fault.