How to Use Google Docs Text to Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Matthew Burleigh

Using Google Docs text to speech feature is a breeze. In just a few simple steps, you can have your document read aloud to you. This is especially helpful for those who are visually impaired, multitasking, or just prefer auditory learning. Here’s a quick overview: open your Google Doc, go to the ‘Tools’ menu, select ‘Accessibility settings’, enable ‘Screen Reader Support’, and voila! You’re all set to use the text to speech function.

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Use Google Docs Text to Speech

Before we start, let’s understand why we need these steps. Enabling the text to speech function in Google Docs will help you listen to your document instead of reading it. It’s like having someone read the text out loud for you. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Open your Google Doc

Open the Google Doc you want to be read aloud.

Once your document is open, you’re ready to move on to the next step.

Step 2: Go to the ‘Tools’ menu

Click on the ‘Tools’ menu at the top of your document.

This will show you a dropdown menu with different options.

Step 3: Select ‘Accessibility settings’

In the ‘Tools’ menu, click on ‘Accessibility settings’.

This will open a new window with accessibility options for Google Docs.

Step 4: Enable ‘Screen Reader Support’

In the ‘Accessibility settings’ window, check the box for ‘Turn on Screen Reader Support’.

After checking the box, you may be prompted to reload your document for the changes to take effect.

Once you’ve completed these steps, your Google Doc will be ready to be read aloud to you. The text to speech function will start at the beginning of your document or where you last left the cursor.

Tips for Using Google Docs Text to Speech

  • Make sure your volume is turned on and up to hear the text being read.
  • Use the keyboard shortcut ‘Ctrl + Alt + X’ to start or stop the text to speech function.
  • Customize the voice and speed of the reading in your computer’s accessibility settings.
  • If you lose your place, simply click where you want to start and the text to speech will begin from there.
  • Remember that the text to speech function may not correctly pronounce every word, especially if it’s a name or a technical term.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I adjust the voice or speed of the text to speech?

Adjust the voice or speed in your computer’s system settings under accessibility options.

Can I use text to speech with other languages in Google Docs?

Yes, Google Docs supports multiple languages for text to speech, but you may need to adjust your language settings.

Is the Google Docs text to speech feature available on mobile devices?

Yes, the feature is available on the Google Docs app for both Android and iOS devices.

Can I use text to speech for only a specific part of my document?

Yes, simply highlight the text you want to be read aloud and use the text to speech function.

Is there a shortcut to quickly start the text to speech function?

Yes, use the keyboard shortcut ‘Ctrl + Alt + X’ to start or stop the reading.

Summary

  1. Open your Google Doc.
  2. Click on ‘Tools’ menu.
  3. Select ‘Accessibility settings’.
  4. Enable ‘Screen Reader Support’.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the text to speech feature in Google Docs is a fantastic tool that can aid in comprehension, proofreading, and accessibility. It’s simple to set up, and once you’ve enabled it, you can listen to your documents read aloud with just a couple of clicks. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone who just enjoys the convenience of auditory learning, this feature can greatly enhance your productivity and efficiency. So, give it a try and discover the benefits of using Google Docs text to speech feature for yourself.

Matthew Burleigh

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech content online for more than ten years. He enjoys writing about Google Docs in addition to many other applications and devices and has cumulatively covered Google’s word-processing application in hundreds of different articles.

He has been published on dozens of popular websites, and his works have accumulated millions of pageviews.
While focused primarily on tutorials and guides for popular electronics like the iPhone and iPad, as well as common applications like Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel, he covers topics across the entire technology spectrum.

You can read his bio here.

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