Word has a built-in Dictate feature, and Windows has voice typing, and Microsoft lists an internet connection as a requirement for both. This guide covers the options, including an offline one, Whisper Dictator, that types into Word like any other field.
Installed from the Microsoft Store: the app passed Microsoft's review and comes signed by Microsoft, with no Windows warnings.
Available for Windows 10 and 11.
Windows 10/11 (64-bit) · Free tier: 7 transcriptions/day
Microsoft's page says dictation works with a microphone and reliable internet connection, and that the steps apply to the desktop versions of Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint in Microsoft 365 or supported perpetual versions.
Microsoft's support page says to press the Windows key plus H, that you must be connected to the internet, and that it uses online speech recognition.
If a document is confidential, or you work without a reliable connection, dictation that runs on your own PC avoids the dependency altogether.
Open a document, hold the hotkey, speak, and release. The text is typed at the cursor in Word like any other field. Processing runs on your PC, with no internet needed to transcribe.
How an offline hotkey fits a Word workflow.
Text lands in the active Word document at the cursor, including headers, tables and comments.
After the model download, it works without a connection.
It works with whatever version of Word you run, since it types into the field rather than integrating with the app.
Dictate in the language of the document, and switch from the system tray.
Transcribe recordings locally and paste the text into Word. No speaker labels yet, and export is plain text.
There are no spoken formatting commands, and no custom vocabulary yet. Apply headings and styles in Word yourself.
Get it free from the Microsoft Store. The package is signed by Microsoft, so Windows shows no warning. The setup wizard then offers to download a Whisper model (Large-v3 Turbo recommended for most users) while you confirm your email.
Default hotkey is right-Alt (AltGr). Open a Word document, click where you want the text, hold the key, and speak.
Let go of the key. Whisper Dictator transcribes on your PC and types the text into the active field. No paste, no clipboard, no switching windows.
Using Microsoft's support pages.
| Capability | Whisper Dictator | Dictate in Word (Microsoft 365) | Windows voice typing (Win+H) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Needs internet to transcribe | ✓ No | ✕ Yes, per Microsoft | ✕ Yes, per Microsoft |
| Works outside Word | ✓ | ✕ Office apps only | ✓ |
| Where it applies | Any Windows app | Word in Microsoft 365 or supported perpetual versions | Windows 10 and 11 |
| Languages | 99 (Whisper) | See Microsoft's list | About 50 listed for Windows 11 |
| Cost | 7 transcriptions/day free, then $39.99/year or $99 one-time | Part of Word | ✓ Included in Windows |
Word's Dictate and Windows voice typing cost nothing extra if you already have them. Where Whisper Dictator loses: it runs on Windows only, the free tier is capped at 7 transcriptions a day, and it has no voice commands or custom vocabulary today.
Every statement about another product on this page comes from the official source listed below, checked on the date shown. Products change, so confirm on the vendor's page before you decide. Statements about Whisper Dictator describe the current Windows app.
The free tier covers casual use. Paid plans are a yearly or one-time purchase.
Enough to find out if voice dictation fits your workflow
Installed from the Microsoft Store: the app passed Microsoft's review and comes signed by Microsoft, with no Windows warnings.
Available for Windows 10 and 11.
~$3.33/month, billed annually
Pay once, own forever. No renewals.
Use Word's Dictate button, or press the Windows key plus H for Windows voice typing, or use a hold-to-talk app like Whisper Dictator that types at the cursor.
Microsoft's page says dictation requires a microphone and reliable internet connection.
It types into the active field rather than integrating with Word, so it works with the versions we have tried. Test it on your own setup.
Windows voice typing or a system-wide app can type into Word without relying on Word's Dictate button. Check Microsoft's page for what applies to your Word version.
No. Whisper Dictator has no spoken formatting commands today, so apply styles in Word yourself.
Install Whisper Dictator from the Microsoft Store, open Word, hold the key, and speak.
Installed from the Microsoft Store: the app passed Microsoft's review and comes signed by Microsoft, with no Windows warnings.
Available for Windows 10 and 11.
Windows 10/11 · Free tier · Works offline