Works Everywhere
TalkWriter is not a plugin or extension — it works with any application on your Mac. When you finish dictating, TalkWriter automatically pastes your text into whatever app is in focus. No setup needed.
How Universal Paste Works
- Click into any text field in any app (Google Docs, Slack, VS Code, etc.)
- Hold Fn to start dictating
- Release Fn when you are done
- TalkWriter instantly pastes the transcribed (and optionally polished) text into that text field
This works because TalkWriter uses macOS Accessibility to simulate a paste action (Cmd+V) into the currently focused application. It does not require integration with each app individually.
Confirmed Compatible Apps
| Application | Category | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Docs | Documents | ✅ | Full support |
| Microsoft Word | Documents | ✅ | Full support |
| Apple Pages | Documents | ✅ | Full support |
| Notion | Documents | ✅ | Full support |
| Google Sheets | Spreadsheets | ✅ | Pastes into active cell |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheets | ✅ | Pastes into active cell |
| Gmail | ✅ | Compose and reply | |
| Microsoft Outlook | ✅ | Compose and reply | |
| Apple Mail | ✅ | Compose and reply | |
| Slack | Messaging | ✅ | Messages and threads |
| Discord | Messaging | ✅ | Messages and threads |
| Microsoft Teams | Messaging | ✅ | Chat and channels |
| VS Code | Code editors | ✅ | Code and comments |
| Cursor | Code editors | ✅ | Code and comments |
| Terminal | Developer tools | ✅ | With limitations |
| Figma | Design | ✅ | Text layers only |
| Linear | Project management | ✅ | Issues and comments |
| Jira | Project management | ✅ | Issues and comments |
| Safari | Browsers | ✅ | Any text field |
| Chrome | Browsers | ✅ | Any text field |
| Arc | Browsers | ✅ | Any text field |
| Obsidian | Notes | ✅ | Full support |
| Bear | Notes | ✅ | Full support |
Tips for Best Results
- Click first — Make sure your cursor is in the text field before you start dictating
- Full-screen apps — TalkWriter works in full-screen mode, but the dictation pill may be hidden (see Pill Not Showing)
- Rich text fields — TalkWriter pastes plain text. Formatting is controlled by the receiving app.
- Password fields — TalkWriter will not paste into password fields for security reasons
FAQ
Does TalkWriter need to be "connected" to each app? No. There is no setup, plugin, or integration required. If the app accepts pasted text, TalkWriter works with it.
What if paste does not work in my app? See the Text Not Pasting troubleshooting guide.
Can I dictate into web apps? Yes. Any web app running in Safari, Chrome, Arc, or another browser works with TalkWriter.