(Note: in the video, I indicate that program automatically mutes audio output when the dictation program is enabled. This voice command feature can be used even when you’re not dictating text, and you can uncheck the “Mute audio output while dictating,” which means in some cases you can issue commands while playing ambient music on your Mac, as long as the music doesn’t get the way of your Mac’s ability to hear your commands and text dictations. To utilize Mac voice commands, click on the Text To Speech button, and then click Open Assess ability Preferences…. Note: Below, there’s a link to a spreadsheet that includes the default commands for voice editing text using Apple’s dictation command.Īll the instructions below refer to the above System Preferences>Dictation & Speech window. The dictation program works similar to Siri on the iOS. Unlike with Dragon Dictate, it’s difficult to voice edit dictated text using Apple’s dictation program, but you can certainly make manual edits after dictation. Enable Dictation and select the mic you want to use.Īfter you press the keyboard shortcut, you can dictate text in any application on the Mac. To locate the Dictation program on your Mac, Go to System Preferences >Dictation & Speech, and then click on the Dictation button. But I also provide a written explanation of using Dictation Command program for even more clarity. The video below provides an overview of the dictation and voice commands feature in OS X El Capitan.

Though I strongly recommend Dragon Dictate for issuing default and custom voice commands on the Mac, the voice dictation program in OS X includes dozens of built-in commands, and the ability to create custom commands without breaking out Automator. Using and creating voice commands on your Mac is not as difficult as you may think, using what is called the “speakable commands” feature already installed in iOS X.

Apple dictation commands mac