Mastering Google Docs Voice Typing: Commands, Tips & Free Printable

If you would like to learn how to access Voice Typing on Google Docs, come read my comprehensive blog on this. CLICK HERE  You can also view a demonstration here:

Why Use Voice Typing?

Voice typing is much more than a convenience—it can be a powerful learning tool. By reducing the physical demands of handwriting and keyboarding, students can devote more mental energy to organizing their thoughts, choosing the right words, and expressing their ideas.

Voice typing is especially helpful for learners with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, and fine-motor difficulties. Instead of struggling to get words onto the page, students can focus on communicating their ideas more naturally. Many students discover that they write longer, more detailed responses when they are able to speak their thoughts aloud before revising and editing their work.

While voice typing is not a replacement for writing instruction, it can be an excellent accommodation and productivity tool that helps many learners become more independent and confident writers.

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Tips for Successful Voice Typing

Like any new skill, voice typing becomes easier with practice. The following strategies can help improve both speed and accuracy:

• Speak naturally. Use your normal speaking voice rather than talking too quickly or too slowly.
• Dictate punctuation. Say commands such as period, comma, question mark, and new paragraph to help organize your writing.
• Review and edit your work. Voice typing is very accurate, but it's always important to proofread and make corrections.
• Use a quality microphone. A quiet environment and a good microphone can significantly improve recognition accuracy.
• Learn the most common commands first. Mastering a few basic commands makes voice typing much more efficient.
• Practice in short sessions. Regular practice helps students become more comfortable and confident using voice typing as part of their writing process.

It's amazing how quickly you can write an essay using Voice Typing on Google Docs.  The trick is mastering all the voice commands!  Here is a list of all the commands.  Be sure to download my free document that offers all of the commands on a single page!!

Note: Voice typing is available in many languages, but editing and formatting voice commands are currently available only when both your Google account and document language are set to English.

Punctuation
Period
Comma
Exclamation point
Question mark
New line
New paragraph

Editing Voice Commands
Select All
Copy
Cut
Paste
Delete
Delete the last word
Delete link
Insert table of contents
Delete table of contents
Insert bookmark
Insert equation
Insert footer
Insert footnote
Insert header
Insert horizontal line
Insert page break

Text Commands
Align center
Align justified
Align left
Align right
Apply heading [1–6]
Apply normal text
Apply subtitle
Apply title
Bold
Italic
Strikethrough
Subscript
Superscript
Underline
Decrease indent
Increase indent
Line spacing [1-100]
Line spacing double
Line spacing single
Decrease font size
Increase font size
Font size [6-400]
Clear formatting
Remove formatting
Remove bold
Remove italics
Remove strikethrough
Remove underline
Create a bulleted list
To add new bullets, say “insert bullet,” or “new line.”
Create a numbered list
To add new bullets, say “insert bullet,” or “new line.”

Google Docs Text Command
Text color [color] (Ex.: say “Text Color Red” to change a text’s color to red.)
Highlight [color] (Ex.: say “Highlight Color Red” to change the highlight color to red.
The default highlight color is yellow. 
Background color [color] (Ex: say “Background Color Red” to change a background to red.)
Remove highlight
Remove background color

Voice Commands For Tables
Insert table
Insert table [1-20] rows by [1-20] columns
Insert row
Insert column
Insert new column
Insert new column on the left
Insert new row
Insert new row above
Insert new row below
Delete column
Delete row
Delete table

Again, if you would like a free, printable copy of my Google Docs voice commands, click here.

Note: Voice commands continue to evolve as Google updates Google Docs. If a command does not work, make sure your document language is set to English and that you are using the latest version of Google Docs.

Continue Your Journey

Voice typing is a powerful assistive technology tool, but it works best when combined with effective writing instruction, executive functioning strategies, and opportunities to strengthen the cognitive skills that support learning. By reducing the physical demands of writing, students can focus more on organizing their thoughts, expressing their ideas, and communicating with confidence.

If you'd like additional support, explore these Good Sensory Learning resources:

• Writing Resources – Explore multisensory writing lessons, activities, games, and tools that help students organize their ideas, strengthen written expression, and become more confident writers.
• Executive Functioning Resources – Discover practical strategies, activities, assessments, and tools that strengthen planning, organization, attention, task initiation, and self-monitoring throughout the writing process.
• Working Memory Resources – Browse games, activities, lessons, and multisensory materials designed to strengthen working memory, helping students hold, organize, and use information more effectively while reading and writing.
• Educational Games – Reinforce language, memory, attention, reasoning, and executive functioning skills through engaging, game-based learning experiences.

Every learner deserves the opportunity to communicate their ideas in ways that build upon their strengths. When assistive technology is paired with engaging instruction and targeted support, students can become more independent, confident, and successful writers.