| Applies to |
|---|
| Microsoft Access 2002 |
| Microsoft Excel 2002 |
| Microsoft FrontPage® 2002 |
| Microsoft Outlook® 2002 |
| Microsoft Publisher 2002 |
| Microsoft PowerPoint® 2002 |
| Microsoft Word 2002 |
This feature is available in the Simplified Chinese, English (U.S.), and Japanese language versions of Microsoft Office XP.
To enter text into an Office XP program with your voice, use Dictation mode.
Note Clicking Speech on the Tools menu in Microsoft Word installs speech recognition in all Office XP programs, or you can do a custom installation. Before using speech recognition, you can increase speech recognition accuracy by reading aloud prepared text to train your computer to recognize how you speak.
Using Dictation mode
As you speak, you'll see a blue bar on the screen that means the computer is processing your voice. As your words are recognized, text is displayed on the screen. You don't have to wait until the blue bar disappears to speak again.
Previously recognized text
Blue bar that indicates the computer is processing your voice
Dictating text
Note You'll switch between Dictation mode and Voice Command mode less often and save time if you complete dictation first, review your file, and then format text or make corrections.
How to speak to a computer
When speaking to others, you're usually understood whether you whisper or shout or talk fast or slow. However, a computer understands speech best when it is spoken to in a more predictable way.
Because we don't usually need to think about how to speak, it can seem a little awkward at first to speak to a computer. However, with a little practice, speaking to a computer will become more natural.
Speech recognition tips
- Start by working in a quiet environment so that the computer hears you instead of the sounds around you, and use a high quality close-talk (headset) microphone.
- Keep the microphone in the same position; try not to move it around once it's adjusted.
- Train your computer to recognize your voice by reading aloud prepared training text in the training wizard. Additional training may increase speech recognition accuracy.
- Pronounce words clearly, but don't separate each syllable in a word. For example, sounding out each syllable in "e-nun-ci-ate" will make it harder for the computer to recognize what you've said.
- Remember to turn the microphone off when you are not using speech recognition. Speech recognition will continue to process sounds until the microphone is turned off.
Dictating a sample sentence
- Position your microphone, and then click in an area in which a sentence can be entered.
- If the microphone is not already turned on, click Microphone on the Language bar to turn speech recognition on.
Language bar with the microphone and speech recognition turned off
Note For more information about the Language bar, see the Help in your Office XP program.
- If Dictation mode is not already turned on, click Dictation on the Language bar, or say "dictation."
Language bar with Dictation mode turned on
- Say the following words to enter a sample sentence with a period at the end:
"You can dictate just about anywhere you can type period"
- When you're finished, turn speech recognition off by clicking Microphone on the Language bar, or by saying "microphone."
Speech recognition will continue to process sounds until the microphone is turned off.
Increasing speech recognition accuracy
Keep in mind that speech recognition is not designed for completely hands-free operation; you'll get the best results if you use a combination of your voice and the mouse or keyboard.
If you have problems using speech recognition, check the following:
- Be sure to train speech recognition.
- Use a high-quality close-talk (headset) microphone, and position the microphone about an inch, or a thumb's width to the side of your mouth so that it is not directly in front of your mouth, and you are not breathing directly into it.
- Eliminate background noise.
- Speak in a consistent, level tone. Speaking too loudly or too softly makes it difficult for the computer to recognize what you've said.
- When dictating text, speak without pausing between each word; a phrase is easier for the computer to interpret than just one word. Also, pronounce words clearly, but don't separate each syllable in a word.
- If a voice command does not appear to work, switch to another program and switch back to the program you are working in, and then say the command again. If the command does not work as expected by the third or fourth try, do not continue to repeat the command. Instead, use your mouse or keyboard.
- See the speech troubleshooting Help topic in your Office XP program.
For more information about things you can do and say with speech recognition, see the Help in your Office XP program.
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