Google Workspace
TalkWriter works with all Google Workspace apps in your browser. Since these are web apps, they work the same way in Safari, Chrome, and Arc.
App-by-App Tips
| App | Best Use Case | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Google Docs | Long documents | Click where you want text, then dictate. Great for drafts and meeting notes. |
| Gmail | Email composition | Click the compose body, dictate your message, then review. |
| Google Sheets | Data entry | Click a cell, dictate, then press Tab or Enter to move. |
| Google Slides | Slide content | Click a text box, then dictate. Works with titles and body text. |
| Google Meet | Chat during calls | Open the Meet chat panel and dictate messages while in a call. |
| Google Calendar | Event descriptions | Click the description field when creating an event, then dictate. |
Google Docs Tips
Writing a Document
- Open your Google Doc
- Place your cursor where you want to insert text
- Hold Fn and speak
- Release Fn — text appears at your cursor position
Collaborative Editing
When multiple people are editing:
- Your dictated text appears at your cursor, just like typed text
- Other collaborators see your text appear in real-time
- Suggestion Mode works with TalkWriter — dictated text appears as a suggestion
TalkTone Recommendations
| Document Type | Recommended TalkTone |
|---|---|
| Meeting notes | Concise |
| Client proposals | Professional |
| Team updates | Casual |
| Technical docs | Technical |
Gmail Tips
- Compose — Click the body of a new email, then dictate
- Reply — Click into the reply field, then dictate
- Subject line — Click the subject field, dictate a brief subject, then click back to the body
- TalkTone — Use "Professional" for external emails, "Friendly" for colleagues
Google Sheets Tips
- Click a cell before dictating — text goes into that cell
- For dates, say "March twenty-seventh, twenty twenty-six" and it will be transcribed correctly
- After dictating into a cell, press Tab to move right or Enter to move down
- Long text in cells works fine — the cell will expand to fit
Google Meet Tips
- Open the chat panel on the right side of the Meet window
- Click the message input box
- Dictate your message and press Enter to send
- This is useful for sharing links or notes during a presentation without unmuting
FAQ
Does TalkWriter work with Google Docs offline? TalkWriter requires an internet connection for speech processing. If you are offline, dictation will not work.
Why is there a brief pause before text appears in Google Docs? Google Docs processes the paste event, which may add a small delay. This is normal and typically under one second.
Can I dictate into Google Forms? Yes. Click any text input field in a Google Form and dictate as usual.