Microsoft Office

How To Record Voice On Microsoft Word 2016

When it comes to Microsoft Word 2016, did you know that you can record your voice directly in the program? It's true! This feature allows for easy voice recording, making it a convenient tool for various tasks such as dictation, speech notes, or even creating audio files. Forget the need for external recording software, with Microsoft Word 2016, you have everything you need at your fingertips.

Recording your voice on Microsoft Word 2016 is a straightforward process. Simply open a new or existing document and navigate to the "Insert" tab in the top menu. From there, click on "Audio" and select "Record Audio." Once the recording toolbar appears, click on the red circle button to start recording. You can pause and resume the recording as needed. When you're finished, save the document, and your audio file will be embedded within it. With this feature, you can effectively add voice notes, lectures, or commentary directly to your Word documents.



How To Record Voice On Microsoft Word 2016

Voice Recording in Microsoft Word 2016: Enhancing Your Document Workflow

Microsoft Word is not only a powerful word processing tool but also offers various features to enhance productivity and efficiency. One such feature is the ability to record voice within the document. This allows users to add spoken text, annotations, or voice comments directly into their Word documents. Voice recording in Microsoft Word 2016 offers a convenient way to incorporate audio into your documents, making them more accessible, engaging, and interactive.

Setting Up Voice Recording

In order to start recording voice in Microsoft Word 2016, you need to ensure that you have a microphone connected to your computer. Most laptops have built-in microphones, but if you are using a desktop computer, you may need to connect an external microphone. Once you have a working microphone, follow the steps below to set up voice recording:

  • Open Microsoft Word 2016 on your computer.
  • Click on the "File" tab in the top left corner of the screen.
  • Select "Options" from the drop-down menu.
  • In the Word Options window, click on "Customize Ribbon" on the left-hand side.
  • Under the "Customize the Ribbon" section, you will see a list of tabs. Make sure the "Developer" tab is checked.
  • Click on "OK" to save the changes and close the Word Options window.

By enabling the Developer tab, you can access the voice recording feature and other advanced functions within Microsoft Word. Once the Developer tab is enabled, you can proceed to the next steps to start recording your voice.

Accessing the Developer Tab

Now that the Developer tab is enabled in Word 2016, you can easily access it by following these steps:

  • Open Microsoft Word 2016 on your computer.
  • Click on the "File" tab in the top left corner of the screen.
  • Select "Options" from the drop-down menu.
  • In the Word Options window, click on "Customize Ribbon" on the left-hand side.
  • Under the "Customize the Ribbon" section, you will see a list of tabs.
  • Check the box next to "Developer" to enable the tab.
  • Click on "OK" to save the changes and close the Word Options window.

Once you have successfully enabled the Developer tab, you will see it displayed on the Word ribbon. Click on the Developer tab to access the voice recording feature and other advanced functions.

Starting Voice Recording

With the Developer tab enabled, you can now start recording your voice in Microsoft Word 2016 by following these steps:

  • Open the Word document in which you want to record your voice.
  • Click on the Developer tab in the Word ribbon.
  • In the Controls group, click on the "Legacy Tools" button.
  • From the drop-down menu, select the "Voice Comment" option.
  • A small recording window will appear. Click on the red circle button to start recording.
  • Speak clearly and audibly into your microphone to record your voice.
  • When you have finished recording, click on the square button to stop recording.
  • Review your voice recording by clicking on the triangle play button.

Once you have completed these steps, your voice recording will be embedded within your Word document. You can play, pause, or delete the recording as needed by using the playback controls in the recording window.

Formatting Voice Recordings

Microsoft Word provides several formatting options for voice recordings. You can customize the appearance and behavior of the recording controls to suit your needs. Below are some of the formatting options available:

Resizing and Moving the Recording Controls

If you want to adjust the size or position of the recording controls in your Word document, follow these steps:

  • Click on the voice recording to select it.
  • Drag the handles on the corners or edges of the recording window to resize it.
  • Click and drag the title bar of the recording window to move it to a different location.

By resizing and moving the recording window, you can ensure that it fits seamlessly within your document layout and does not obstruct any important content.

Changing the Appearance of the Recording Controls

If you want to change the appearance of the voice recording controls, including the color and style, you can follow these steps:

  • Click on the voice recording to select it.
  • Go to the Format tab in the Word ribbon.
  • In the Controls group, click on the "Design Mode" button.
  • You can now modify the appearance of the recording controls by selecting different styles and colors.

By experimenting with different styles and colors, you can customize the appearance of the recording controls to match the overall design of your document.

Sharing and Collaborating with Voice Recordings

Once you have recorded your voice in Microsoft Word 2016, you can easily share and collaborate on the document with others. Here are a few ways to share and collaborate with voice recordings:

Saving and Sending the Document

To share your Word document with voice recordings, simply save it and send it as you would with any other document. You can save the document on your computer or in the cloud, such as OneDrive or SharePoint, for easy access and collaboration.

Collaborating in Real-time

If you want to collaborate on the document with others in real-time, you can use the collaboration features of Microsoft Word. By saving the document on a cloud storage platform like OneDrive or SharePoint, multiple people can work on the document simultaneously, making it easier to collaborate and incorporate feedback.

Exporting as Other File Formats

If you need to share the document with someone who does not have Microsoft Word 2016, you can export it as a different file format, such as PDF or RTF. This allows recipients to view and listen to the voice recordings without needing the specific software.

Wrapping Up

Recording voice in Microsoft Word 2016 provides a convenient way to add audio to your documents, making them more engaging and accessible. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily set up voice recording, customize the appearance of the recording controls, and share your document with others. Incorporating voice recordings into your Word documents can enhance collaboration, improve accessibility, and add a personal touch to your work.


How To Record Voice On Microsoft Word 2016

Recording Voice on Microsoft Word 2016

To record voice on Microsoft Word 2016, follow the steps below:

  • Open a new or existing document in Microsoft Word 2016.
  • Go to the "Insert" tab in the ribbon.
  • Click on the "Text" group and select "Dictate".
  • A microphone icon will appear, click on it to start recording your voice.
  • Speak clearly and dictate your text.
  • To stop recording, click on the microphone icon again.
  • The recorded voice will automatically be converted into text.
  • Review and edit the transcribed text as needed.
  • Save the document with the recorded voice as a Word file.
  • You can also convert the recorded voice into other formats, such as PDF or HTML.

Key Takeaways - How to Record Voice on Microsoft Word 2016:

  • You can use the "Dictate" feature in Word 2016 to record your voice.
  • The Dictate feature allows you to speak your text and have it typed out in real-time.
  • To use Dictate, open Word, click on the "Dictate" button on the toolbar, and start speaking.
  • Dictate is a useful tool for transcription, note-taking, and creating voice-based documents.
  • Make sure to speak clearly and at a consistent pace for accurate voice recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we will address some common questions related to recording voice on Microsoft Word 2016.

1. Can I record my voice directly on Microsoft Word 2016?

Yes, you can record your voice directly on Microsoft Word 2016 by using the built-in voice recording feature. This feature allows you to add audio notes or record your voice while working on a document.

To record your voice, go to the "Insert" tab in the Microsoft Word ribbon, and click on the "Online Audio" button. From the dropdown menu, select "Record Audio" and a recording window will appear. Click on the red button to start recording and the blue button to stop. You can then insert the recorded audio into your document.

2. Can I edit the recorded voice on Microsoft Word 2016?

Yes, you can edit the recorded voice on Microsoft Word 2016. After inserting the recorded audio into your document, you can make adjustments to the audio file such as trimming, fading in/ out, and adjusting the volume.

To edit the recorded voice, right-click on the inserted audio file and select "Edit Audio" from the context menu. This will open the audio editing window where you can make the desired changes. Once you are done editing, click on "OK" to save the changes.

3. Can I record voice and type simultaneously on Microsoft Word 2016?

No, Microsoft Word 2016 does not have a feature that allows you to record voice and type simultaneously. However, you can record your voice separately and transcribe it later by listening to the recording and typing the content manually.

If you need to transcribe a lot of audio content, you may consider using speech recognition software or apps specifically designed for transcribing voice recordings.

4. Can I save the recorded voice as a separate audio file on Microsoft Word 2016?

Yes, you can save the recorded voice as a separate audio file on Microsoft Word 2016. After recording your voice and inserting it into the document, right-click on the inserted audio file and select "Save Media As" from the context menu.

In the saving window, choose the desired location on your computer, enter a file name, select the audio file format (such as MP3 or WAV), and click on "Save" to save the recorded voice as a separate audio file.

5. Can I share the document with the recorded voice with others?

Yes, you can share the document with the recorded voice with others. When you save your document with the recorded voice, the audio file is embedded within the document itself. Therefore, when you share the document, the recipient will be able to listen to the recorded voice as long as they have a compatible version of Microsoft Word.

However, please note that if the recipient does not have the same version of Microsoft Word or a compatible program, they may not be able to listen to the recorded voice. In such cases, you can consider exporting the recorded voice as a separate audio file (as mentioned in question 4) and sharing it alongside the document.



To conclude, recording voice on Microsoft Word 2016 is a simple and convenient process that can enhance your productivity and creativity. By using the built-in voice recording feature, you can easily add voice notes, memos, or even dictate your content directly into your Word documents. This can be particularly useful for students, professionals, or anyone who wants to save time and effort by speaking instead of typing.

With just a few steps, you can start recording your voice in Word 2016. Simply open the program, go to the "Insert" tab, click on "Speech" and then "Start Recording". Remember to use a good quality microphone and be in a quiet environment for clear and accurate recordings. Whether you want to leave voice comments on your document, record a lecture, or transcribe an interview, Microsoft Word 2016 offers a convenient solution that can greatly enhance your writing experience.


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