How do I use the Speech Anywhere Widget to dictate into applications?

Overview

This article explains how to use the Speech Anywhere Widget to dictate text directly into any desktop application.

Applies to

All Users

How dictation works

The Speech Anywhere Widget inserts transcribed text at the position of your cursor in whichever application is currently active. It does not require any integration or plugin to be installed within the target application, it works by simulating keyboard input, which means it is compatible with virtually any text based software.

Step by step dictation

Step 1: Open your target application

Open the application you want to dictate into. This could be Microsoft Word, Outlook, a web browser, an EHR system, a case management tool, or any other application with a text input field.

Step 2: Position your cursor

Click inside the text field or document where you want your dictated text to appear. This is where the widget will begin inserting text.

Step 3: Lock the anchor (optional but recommended)

If you are dictating into a specific field and want to ensure the widget does not accidentally insert text elsewhere, use the anchor locking feature to secure the insertion point. This is particularly useful in complex forms or templates.

Step 4: Start dictating

Press the microphone/record button on the widget, or press the start button on your connected foot pedal or speech microphone. Speak clearly and at a natural pace. The widget will transcribe your words and insert them into your chosen application in real time.

Step 5: Pause or stop

Press the pause or stop button to pause or end the dictation session. You can resume at any time by pressing record again.

Step 6: Review and correct

Once you have finished dictating, review the transcribed text in your application. Any errors can be corrected manually using the keyboard, or by using voice correction commands.

Best practices

Speak at a natural, conversational pace speaking too quickly or too slowly can reduce accuracy. Avoid background noise where possible. Dictate punctuation aloud (for example, say “full stop” or “period”, “new paragraph”, “comma”) to ensure correct formatting. Use the custom shortcuts feature to quickly insert frequently used phrases without dictating them in full each time.