Microsoft Word just got a killer feature that puts Google Docs to shame

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Microsoft Word only got a killer characteristic that puts Google Docs to shame

(Paradigm credit: Shutterstock)

I don't employ Microsoft Word, but I might take to offset trying it. That's because a new sound transcription characteristic has debuted in Microsoft 365, and it's the kind of thing that will salve me (and many others) time and money — and brand me wonder when Google Docs volition take hold of up.

Debuting today in Give-and-take on the web (as a part of Microsoft 365), this new Transcribe feature allows you lot to upload audio into Word, and then get a transcript you can immediately drop into your certificate, one chunk of dialogue at a time.

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And if you lot desire to write and edit alive, there'southward a Dictate button for alive audio. Just for those like myself who capture audio via the iOS Vocalization Memos app (or any other program) there are some limits to exist enlightened of. Transcribe supports MP3, MP4, WAV and M4A formats and limits yous to 200MB uploads.

Microsoft first promised that this feature would exist coming to Word on Oct two, 2019, in a blog post. Here's a GIF of how it works in action:

(Paradigm credit: Microsoft)

How to use Transcribe in Microsoft Word

Here'south how to utilise Transcribe if it's bachelor in your version of Word:

1. Click the Dictate button in the toolbar
2. Click Transcribe
3. Click Upload Audio
4. Detect your sound file
5. Watch as your text appears
6. Drag and drop text from the menu to the document.

Word Transcribe also offers automated formatting options, and so you can insert quotes equally pull-quotes. Desire to verify Transcribe's accuracy? Click the timestamp next to the text to jump to that part of your audio file.

Tom Warren at The Verge notes that transcription time varies while uploading audio, but text translation works in seconds if done live.

Transcribe only supports English at the moment, and it'due south due to hitting the Android and iOS Give-and-take apps later this year. Transcribe was originally slated for "early 2020," with the mobile app support coming in "the spring," and then it might be another season before information technology makes it to other devices.

Personally, if this works as well as information technology should, I could see myself starting to utilize Microsoft Discussion over Google Docs — except Google Docs is gratuitous.

Microsoft 365 starts at $6.99 per calendar month, merely if yous desire a free selection, Otter.ai has free alive transcription and has a $nine.99 monthly version that adds uploading. Hopefully Google Docs adds a Transcribe choice, which seems similar a no-brainer because how Google Banana is capable at hearing what y'all say.

Henry is a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past vi-plus years. Prior to joining Tom'southward Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He'south besides covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/microsoft-word-just-got-a-killer-feature-that-puts-google-docs-to-shame

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