Stop dictate from turning off in Word 365

Anonymous
2020-02-17T22:44:03+00:00

Is there any way that we can prevent dictate to turn off (or at least extend the time that it stays on) in Word 365? I'd really like for it not to stop listening while I'm thinking about what to say.

Thanks!

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-01-22T21:02:51+00:00

    I use the function extensively for transcription.  A couple of tips that help with this.

    First of all, assign a hotkey.  Not on topic, but a timesaver.

    Second, you might benefit from finding some proxy words for a few purposes, including the automatic shutoff.  When I am transcribing and there's a pause, I'll throw in a word that doesn't apply to the situation, let's say blueberry, and then find and replace that proxy with nothing, once the document is complete.

    The other thing I do is use proxy words for punctuation.  I find that there is a hiccup when you use Dictate's punctuation instruction words to insert a comma, a period, a question mark - especially transcribing the actual words, like time period.  These 'shortcuts' are more hinderance than help on a long piece, although I appreciate their intent.

    These processes don't fix, but they do optimize around the limitations in place.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-02-18T18:48:39+00:00

    I'm trying this now but I find that even with windows key plus H it just shuts off sense mid sentence . Oh well exclamation point . 

    Facebook right Anna just shut off after I said

    OK that was gibberish

    it basically shuts off every time I say

    Or pause for may be long enough to take a breath hiline

    and then I have to press windows age twice to get it to start again in line 

    why does it stop every time I say

    so funny you cannot actually type the words "new line" wih dictation even in quotes

    Wow this feature stinks

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-03-13T16:24:40+00:00

    I have found the same problem too. At times dictation will also stop mid-sentence, and this is infuriating. I've given up using the dictate application within Word, but have now activated speech recognition in Windows and use that functionality in Word. Simply activate by pressing the Windows icon + H and the feature turns on. It's not perfect but it's definitely better that the dictate function within Word.

    Hope this helps.

    Hopefully Microsoft will sort this out because it's potentially a great feature!

    Strange all these replies. I had that problem with Dictate in Word when I first installed 365 early in 2020. But I have been using it now for about 6 months and with very few problems. Frequently it does not show what I am saying but if I wait or click on the icon, it types what I had said. It turns off by itself after maybe 10-15 seconds.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-03-19T20:08:15+00:00

    I am also experiencing the same issue now that I had a software update. It never shut off before the update and now it doesn't recognize my voice and shuts off. So frustrating!

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-03-20T10:09:24+00:00

    I have been using dictate feature for a while now. It was finally working and would continue to accept input and type out for long periods of time. 15 to 20 minutes was not a problem. This week, it now stops after one minute. Every single time. I've timed it.

    I've been doing some research and interestingly enough Google's speech to text limits audio to one minute. Is Microsoft Word Dictate now using Google's speech to text somehow and it's limited to one minute at a time? This is extremely annoying to have to restart the microphone every minute because it doesn't even show that's it's not listening anymore. It just stops typing at one minute.

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