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Voice typing in Google Docs on a Mac
Use macOS Dictation anywhere, or use Google Docs Voice Typing inside Chrome. Here’s the fastest setup for each.
← Back to Learn  |    Mac Dictation guide

If you want to dictate into Google Docs on macOS, you have two good options. Pick based on your workflow:

Option A (system-wide):  macOS Dictation works in Google Docs and every other text field on your Mac.

Option B (Google Docs only):  Google Docs Voice Typing works inside the Docs editor (typically in Chrome).

Option A: Use macOS Dictation in Google Docs (system-wide)
This is the most “Mac-like” option: you use the Dictation shortcut (often  Fn  twice) and it types at your cursor, even inside the Google Docs editor.

Enable Dictation: System Settings → Keyboard → Dictation → On.

Open Google Docs and click where you want text.

Start Dictation (microphone key if present, or the Dictation shortcut).

Speak. Say punctuation like “comma” and “new paragraph”.

Stop Dictation (same shortcut) to finalize.
If you dictate daily and want a consistent hold‑to‑dictate workflow, Voice Type adds a dedicated hotkey and stays on-device:  voice typing for Mac .

Option B: Use Google Docs Voice Typing (in Chrome)
Google Docs has its own voice typing feature. It’s convenient if you’re already living in Docs, but it’s not system-wide — it’s tied to the Google Docs editor.

Open a Google Doc in Chrome.

Go to Tools → Voice typing.

Click the microphone and start speaking.

Click again to stop.
Note: Google’s help docs explicitly point out that your browser controls the speech-to-text service when you use this feature — it’s a different pipeline than macOS Dictation.

Troubleshooting tips

Check microphone permissions for your browser (System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone).

Test mic input levels in System Settings → Sound.

If macOS Dictation doesn’t start at all, follow the Apple troubleshooting checklist and then see:  Dictation not working on Mac .

Sources

Apple: Dictate messages and documents on Mac

Google Docs Editors Help: Type & edit with your voice

Apple: If Dictation on Mac doesn’t work as expected


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