It’s a very nice function that Microsoft has just integrated into Outlook, its messaging app, on Windows and on the Web. It is now possible to dictate the content of an email rather than typing it on the keyboard. Practical !
What if you save time writing your emails? It’s now possible thanks to a brand new function that Microsoft has just added to Outlook: voice dictation. This very practical option has in fact just been deployed in applications for Windows – that of the Office suite, renamed Microsoft 365, but also that which replaces the Mail app – as well as in the free Web version. “Dictation removes the hassle of typing and harnesses the power of AI-based voice commands to help you articulate your messages effortlessly”indicates Microsoft in a communicated published on its site. And to add: “It currently supports over 50 languages and ensures your thoughts flow freely, transforming the way you communicate.”
How to use Outlook voice dictation?
To take advantage of this tool powered by artificial intelligence, all you need to do is download the latest version of the email client and perform a few actions. First, you need to create a new message and go directly to the body of the email. Indeed, dictation cannot be used to fill in the fields concerning the subject of your e-mail and the recipients. Before starting the operation, you must also check that the language selected by default is French. To do this, you must go to the drop-down menu associated with a microphone icon, located in the messaging toolbar, at the top and right of your screen. When the correct language is selected, all you have to do is simply click on the microphone icon to start your dictation.
When you dictate your message, Outlook automatically writes the words and elements it understands. You must therefore speak loudly and clearly enough for the tool to take all the elements into account. This technology also allows you to pause your voice dictation if you need to. To do this, you can simply use the keyboard shortcut Alt + è (the 7 key on an azerty keyboard).
Please note, the email client supports punctuation, but also symbols. For example, you can say “question mark” or “dollar sign” to add these elements to your message. Be careful though, the tool may still encounter some difficulties depending on certain requests. When you specify line breaks or other symbols, the tool may write your request out in full. More concretely, if you request a “line break” too quickly after your sentence, Outlook may write “line break” without performing the requested action. It is therefore still recommended to check the formatting and punctuation of your message at the end of your dictation.