They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. As it turns out, besides your picture, your voice is also worth a thousand words.
Okay, maybe not all at once, but with a Google Docs speech to text capability you can transcribe your words into text quickly and easily. More than just a nifty feature, Google Docs’ speech to text has an almost universal appeal and application.
For a writer or journalist, being able to capture thoughts on the go while they are still fresh in your mind means that you no longer have to deal with fumbling for a scrap of paper and pen. You speak your thoughts, and they instantly become words on google docs.
Of course, you do not have to be an aspiring bestselling author or playwright to enjoy the benefits of this great technological breakthrough. Everyone from students dictating class notes, to businesspeople capturing key points from meetings represent a few of the many possible applications.
Everyone from students dictating class notes, to businesspeople capturing key points from meetings represent a few of the many possible applications.
The fact that Google Docs’ speech to text is available in 90 different languages means that it also has a global appeal.
Besides the many, many different uses, learning to use Google Docs speech to text is easy.
Here are a few simple steps to get you going – or talking in this case:
Note: Depending on your system, we are assuming here that your microphone is already setup.
1. Step 1 is to activate your system’s voice typing feature. With Chrome, you simply go to Tools and select the “Voice typing” option.
2. Click on the voice typing icon – a microphone and give Chrome permission to use your system’s mic.
Your language preference should automatically load at this point, but if it doesn’t click the dots at the bottom of the pull-down menu where you will find the language options. Select your language.
3. Click the microphone and speak in your usual voice, at a normal pace as clarity is important. Then watch as your words instantly appear in your document.
4. When you are finished speaking, click the microphone icon again to stop the recording.
There are other great features, such as setting punctuations. However, the above will get you started.
As discussed earlier, being able to speak and save in google docs on the fly is a big advantage. Not having to use the small keys of a handheld device’s keyboard by being able to dictate your thoughts into text without typing is especially convenient.
If you have an Android phone, setting up the Google speech to text Android function is equally fast and simple.
All you need to do is the following:
1. Touch the Apps icon on your Home Screen.
2. Open Settings App.
3. Choose your language and input.
4. Confirm that the Google voice typing has a checkmark.
5. Click the microphone icon and start talking.
It is important to note that there may be a few minor differences in the description, such as input and language versus language and input, but the process is pretty straight forward.
Like the many different voices in the world around us, when it comes to voice to text capability online audio to text converter such as Audext provide additional, enhanced features.
For example, and leveraging AI, Audext provides an ultra-fast transcription capability.
Beyond transcription, features such as editing speed, speaker identification, and the support of various audio-types such as WAV, WMV, MP3 are common audio formats this online voice to text converter provides.
You can also download your transcript from Audext in a DOC format that is compatible with Google Docs.
The above instructions should get you well on your way to using voice to text technology to help you to get your thoughts down in google docs without typing on a keyboard.
As you become more familiar using voice to text Google Docs you will also discover a few helpful tips along the way. Improving your level of output accuracy using a headset on your Chromebook is one that immediately comes to mind.
12/01/2019
Katrin runs her own podcast show, and interested in best ways to transcribe audio recordings into text.