Dictation preferences
Use the Dictation pane of Accessibility System Preferences to choose or create dictation commands to use with Enhanced Dictation.
With Enhanced Dictation, you can use dictation commands included in macOS, or commands that you create, to control your Mac and use apps. You can also enable a dictation keyword phrase to help you use the commands, even when you’re not dictating text.
To open this pane, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Accessibility, then click Dictation.
Open the Dictation pane for me
Dictation Commands | Show the list of dictation commands you can use when Enhanced Dictation is on. If you enabled advanced dictation commands, they are also shown. For more information, see Enable, disable, and create dictation commands. |
Enable the dictation keyword phrase | Say a keyword phrase to start dictating and use dictation commands even when you’re not dictating text. For more information, see Use the dictation keyword phrase and menu. |
Play sound when command is recognized | Have your Mac play a sound to indicate that it recognized the dictation command you spoke. |
Mute audio output while dictating | Silence music, podcasts, videos or other audio playing on your Mac while you are dictating. |
Dictation commands and advanced command options
Commands list | Commands are grouped by action (Selection, Navigation, Editing, Formatting, and System). Use the search field to find a command. If you create your own dictation commands, they appear in the User section at the top of the list. A checkmark next to a command indicates it can be used. If you don’t want to use a command, deselect its checkbox. |
Preview area | Click a command in the list to show how to say it. There may be multiple ways to say a command. For example, to make a selected word bold, you can say “Bold that,” “Bold this,” or “Bold selection.” |
Enable advanced commands | Show additional navigation and system commands, as well as app and document commands at the bottom of the list. Also enable the ability to create your own dictation commands. |
Add , Remove | Click the Add button to create your own dictation command. To delete a command you created, select it in the User section, then click the Remove button . |