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Technical Tips,Tutorials,Writing for Authors
08/01/2017 11:05 am PDT
Updated 7 months ago

Read Your Book Aloud: How to Use the Microsoft Word Text-to-Speech Feature

By Book Cave

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JutohWe at Book Cave prefer Jutoh for ebook creation because it gives us more control than most other ebook software out there, while still maintaining a friendly interface.

Read Your Book Aloud Microsoft Word Text-to-Speech Feature

You've heard of other authors doing it, but should you? In a word, yes. Every author should give the Microsoft Word Text-to-Speech feature a try as they fine-tune their manuscripts. When you read your book aloud, your ears will find many errors, repetitive words, and even plot flaws that your eyes (and the eyes of others) have often missed.

Note: Do not confuse the Text-to-Speech feature with the Read-Aloud feature. Text-to-Speech will read back a highlighted section, and you can make changes in the text without disrupting the reading. Read-Aloud will read one word at at time beginning where you put your cursor and does NOT allow a continuous reading while trying to edit because it will start again at the new place each time you move your cursor and attempt an edit.

Where to find the Microsoft Word Text-to-Speech feature

The "Speak" button, which uses the Microsoft Word Text-to-Speech feature, was introduced in Word 2010. So you'll need Word 2010 or later to have Word read your book aloud.

First, you'll need to add the Speak button to your Quick Access Toolbar. At the top right of your document, click on the drop-down arrow.

Microsoft Word Text to Speech feature Toolbar

From here, click the "More Commands" option.

Microsoft Word Text to Speech feature More Commands

This will open up a window. From the drop-down, change it from "Popular Commands" to "All Commands."

Microsoft Word Text to Speech feature All Commands

In the results below, scroll until you find "Speak," click on it, then click "Add."

Microsoft Word Text to Speech feature Speak

Click "OK." The Speak bubble icon will now be in your Quick Access Toolbar, located at the top left of the window.

You can further customize the Microsoft Word Text-to-Speech feature; check out our blog post here for a detailed tutorial on how to change the speed and the voice that the Speak button uses.

Read your book aloud!

To activate text-to-speech, simply highlight the portion of your document that you want read aloud and click on the Speak icon that is now in your Quick Access Toolbar.

Read your book aloud

It's that easy!

There, now you are all set up. Plug in your headphones, sit back, and let Word read your book aloud to you. You will likely be surprised at all the things you'll find that you need to change or tweak. In fact, once you do a couple of books this way, we're convinced you will never publish another book without first using Microsoft Word's Text to Speech feature or another similar program.

Happy editing!

We hope this tip will help you in your publishing journey. We'd love to hear your experiences listening to your book in the comments below! If you'd like to learn more about Book Cave author promotions, please enter your email below and click the "Learn More" button.

Do you have a blog idea or topic you know our readers or authors would love? Contact sarah@mybookcave.com to learn how you could get your blog featured.


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  1. Gaby Vazquez
    Gaby Vazquez • 9 hours ago

    I highlighted the portion of the document that I want read aloud and clicked on the Speak icon and is not reading the article, please help me out I have office 2010

    Reply
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