Quick fixes: use dictation when you can’t spell a word

Sometimes a word is so difficult to spell that autocorrect can't help.

Quick fix

You can use your device to make a speech.

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When I'm struggling to spell a word, I double-tap the command key on my Mac to make it easier. I can say the word out loud and it will show up on my screen. Command can be double-taped again to stop the computer from listening.

The only reason I am able to spell the word "guarantee" is because I do this trick at least once a week.

There is a built-in way of doing voice-to-text on most devices.

Activate dictation on a Mac

Go to System Preferences > Keyboard and navigate to the Dictation Tab. You can turn it on from there. You can choose which language you want to dictate in and what shortcut you want to use to make it work. In Ventura, you can turn it on by going to System settings > keyboard and scrolling to the Dictation section.

If you don't think you'll use the feature frequently, you don't have to have a keyboard shortcut in most apps.

Activate dictation on an iPhone

Go to settings > general > keyboards and turn on enable dictation There is a microphone button in the bottom right corner of the screen if you use a device with Face ID or if you have a home button. The microphone icon is being tapped.

Activate voice typing in Windows 11

The voice typing window should float over whichever app you're using. Clicking on the microphone button will let you know that you agree to the terms and conditions. When you press the Windows key, it will start listening.

Activate dictation on an Android phone

It depends on which phone you use and how you use it.

The microphone icon can be found on the top right corner of the keyboard on the Gboard phones. Start talking when you tap that. The icon will have a half circle of rainbow colors. If you stop talking it will stop on its own in a few seconds.

You should see a microphone button on the phone if you use the default keyboard. If you tap it, there will be a prompt asking if you want to record audio.

If you get a prompt saying that you need to allow it to appear on top of other apps, you can open the AppInfo screen for voice input by tapping on the settings button. You can appear on top by scrolling down. If you tap on it, you'll be able to allow permission. If microphone access isn't selected already, press the back button to return to the info screen, then scroll up to Permissions to turn it on.