With keyboard dictation, you can dictate text anywhere you can type it. How does dictation work on the Apple Keyboard? Apple recommends no longer than 40-second dictations for best results. Once you tap the trigger shortcut, you should see a microphone icon, indicating that your Mac is ready to accept dictation. How long does it take to dictate on a Mac? In Mojave, the Dictation preferences look like below – you simply go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Dictation and check the box Enhanced Dictation in order for macOS to download the language packs necessary to dictate offline. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Keyboard, then click Dictation.

The pop-up menu below the microphone icon in the Dictation pane of Keyboard preferences shows which device your Mac is currently using to listen. Making a recording on a tape recorder for your secretary to type later is an example of dictation. Orders that need to be obeyed are an example of dictation. For example, pressing both Fn and F12 (speaker icon) performs the action assigned to the F12 key instead of raising the volume of your speakers.ĭictation is defined as giving orders authoritatively, or saying or recording words with the intent that they will be written down later. Use standard function keys To use the standard function keys, hold the Function (Fn)/Globe key when pressing a function key.

If you’re using a microphone built in to your computer, try switching to a microphone that you plug in to your computer. Adjust the input level of your microphone. If you get the message, “Dictation can’t hear you,” or if nothing happens as you dictate, try these: Make sure your microphone is not muted. You will see an option to turn Dictation off. How do I make dictation go away on my Mac?Īnswer: Go to System Preferences (you can find it in the Apple menu at the top left corner of your screen) in macOS or OS X and select the Dictation & Speech panel.

Mac dictation shortcut