speech to text for google slides

Inclusive Design

Accessibility and usability strategies for using technology to design educational experiences for everyone, speech to text within a google slide.

A recent update to Read&Write for Google Chrome has brought with it a new, highly requested feature! The Talk&Type button is a shortcut to activating the Voice Typing feature of Google Docs. Prior to this update, this feature only worked in the Speaker Notes section of a Google Slides presentation. Users needed to turn on the Enable Dictation feature in the Accessibility settings of Chrome to dictate directly into a slide. Now, users can use the Talk&Type button in Read&Write for Google Chrome when using Google Slides to use speech to text, essentially cutting down on navigation and providing a consistent experience between applications. This new feature provides learners with yet another option for how to compose text to show what they know! Watch this short tutorial titled Read&Write in Google Slides Speech to Text Update to see how it works.

Google Slides - Voice Type Speaker Notes

Google slides -, voice type speaker notes, google slides voice type speaker notes.

Google Slides: Voice Type Speaker Notes

Lesson 23: voice type speaker notes.

/en/googleslides/skipping-slides/content/

Voice type speaker notes

Preparing for a presentation without an adequate amount of time to do so is stressful. Voice type speaker notes is a feature of Google Slides presentations that can quickly record and type your thoughts underneath each slide.

If you are using a computer or a smartphone, adding speaker notes looks a little different. On a computer, the voice typing feature only works if you are using Chrome as your web browser. Later in this lesson, we’ll take a look at the mobile process.

Watch the video below to learn how to use the voice type speaker notes feature.

Voice typing using a computer

For the voice typing feature to work, you will need to use Chrome as your web browser.

Voice typing using a smartphone

The process is a little different on a smartphone since voice type speaker notes is not available on mobile yet. There is an alternative: You can either type information or use your phone's built-in voice typing feature . In order to follow along, you will need to download the Google Slides app.

Correcting a lot of misspelled words or odd phrases after recording can be cumbersome on a tablet or mobile device. You may want to re-record if there are many mistakes.

Whether you use speaker notes to practice what you are going to say or as a reference, Google Slides voice type speaker notes feature can quickly capture your thoughts.

/en/googleslides/arranging-objects/content/

Android Police

Google docs and slides step up their voice recognition game.

Voice commands and live captions are ready for prime time

Voice typing tools reliant on speech-to-text algorithms have long been a convenient way to create larger text documents quickly, especially if you’re a slow typist, or you're seeking a hands-free experience. Specialized voice typing tools are aplenty, but Google Docs and Slides include one for the average user. The company recently updated the feature to allow editing Slides speaker notes and Docs files using your voice, along with a live caption-generation tool for your presentations.

Google explains that its popular cloud-based Workspace utilities have been updated to minimize errors and lost audio in the transcription process. If you have a microphone set up, open Google Docs and select Voice Typing from the Tools drop-down menu. Click the microphone to dictate, and click it again when you’re done. With the latest update, you can follow up with voice commands like “select paragraph,” “italics,” and “go to the end of the line,” much like you would instruct a human typist to make edits to a body of text.

Voice typing and commands are also now available for the speaker notes section in Slides. Interestingly, Google’s support documentation for voice typing still says you cannot use voice commands for editing your speaker notes. That aside, Slides users can enjoy one more new feature designed as an accessibility aid in presentations. If you’re using Chrome to deliver a Slides presentation, you turn on live captions . It will transcribe everything you say into text seen underneath your slides, just like Live Captions and transcription on YouTube .

Once you start presenting, you can switch captions on using the Toggle captions option under Captions preferences in the three-dot menu. Remember that Google’s method does not punctuate the live captions in Slides, and the feature may not work well in a noisy environment. If you plan to use this feature on a video conference, we suggest consulting other participants because Slides captions could overlap with independent live transcription/translation features on Google Meet and other video conferencing utilities.

Besides these improvements, Google is expanding the availability of its speech-to-text utility to most major browsers. The above improvements will be available to anyone with a Gmail account, including Business customers, starting January 9. However, the feature could show up later for some, since Google expects the rollout to complete on February 21.

How To Use Speech-To-Text On Google Docs

W hether you're on the move or suffering from an unfortunate bout of carpal tunnel, there are plenty of scenarios when simply typing out passages of text on a keyboard just isn't the most feasible option. That's why phones, TVs, and other smart devices have adopted various bits of speech-to-text software, allowing a program to automatically record and transcribe spoken words into written text with the touch of a button. Fortunately, it seems that text editor programs have also joined the speech-to-text wave, including one particularly popular online word processor.

The current iteration of Google Docs includes an optional feature in its suite of tools that adds speech-to-text functionality to the typical document writing process. Known as voice typing, this specialized tool uses built-in software and a compatible device's microphone to allow the user to vocally dictate entire documents' worth of text on Google Docs, proper punctuation and all. It's a feature that's worth trying out for avid users of the program, and it's not too hard to get it working at a moment's notice.

Read more: 5 Forgotten PS3 Features That Are Pure Nostalgia

How To Use Voice Typing In Google Docs

While it isn't possible to leave voice typing enabled at all times in Google Docs, it can be activated on any given document with a few quick steps.

Open the Google Docs document you want to use voice typing with.
Ensure that the device you're accessing Google Docs on has a microphone and that is enabled and unmuted.
At the top of the page, select Tools.
Click Voice typing from the dropdown menu.
A small widget box with a microphone icon will appear on the page. Click the microphone icon.
Your browser may ask if you want to give Google Docs permission to use your device's microphone. If this occurs, select Allow.
Ensure that the microphone icon has turned red.
Voice typing is now enabled. Speak aloud and Google Docs will automatically transcribe the audio into written text.
Once you have finished speaking, click the red microphone icon and ensure that it returns to the gray microphone icon in the widget box. Voice typing is now disabled.

Voice typing can be set to automatically detect and dictate well over 60 distinct languages and a plethora of regional dialects and accents. Similar to keyboard shortcuts , voice typing also recognizes phrases of punctuation and will add the appropriate symbols based on phrases like "Period," "Comma," "Question mark," and more.

Google Docs Has Voice Commands As Well

Speech-to-text is a great way for users to give their fingers a rest and let programs shoulder the weight of typing out text, but some may have concerns that a vocal dictation software like Google Docs' voice typing is relatively limited in what it can do. However, voice typing on Google Docs has a far more robust feature set than simply transcribing audio. In reality, the feature supports a lengthy list of voice commands that give users the power to make all sorts of changes to their documents without even touching the keyboard.

Voice typing is designed to recognize and distinguish specific voice commands from regular spoken words. These commands can range from basic functions like "Copy," "Paste," and "Italicize" to complex actions like "Insert table of contents" or "Create bulleted list." Essentially, voice typing supports vocal shortcuts for just about every basic action one can take while normally editing a document through Google Docs, right down to dictating the exact formatting of the document itself. Generally speaking, the software will recognize whatever editing-related command is given. However, should users have trouble getting the software to do exactly what they want, they can simply request to "See all voice commands" to get a comprehensive list.

For the time being, Google Docs voice typi m,ng can only recognize and carry out English voice commands. Nonetheless, this software stands as quite an important accessibility feature . /,

Read the original article on SlashGear

Español – América Latina
Português – Brasil
Cloud Speech-to-Text
Documentation

Transcribe audio from a video file using Speech-to-Text

This tutorial shows how to transcribe the audio track from a video file using Speech-to-Text.

Audio files can come from many different sources. Audio data can come from a phone (like voicemail) or the soundtrack included in a video file.

Speech-to-Text can use one of several machine learning models to transcribe your audio file, to best match the original source of the audio. You can get better results from your speech transcription by specifying the source of the original audio. This allows Speech-to-Text to process your audio files using a machine learning model trained for data similar to your audio file.

In this document, you use the following billable components of Google Cloud:

Speech-to-Text

To generate a cost estimate based on your projected usage, use the pricing calculator . New Google Cloud users might be eligible for a free trial .

Before you begin

This tutorial has several prerequisites:

You've set up a Speech-to-Text project in the Google Cloud console.
You've set up your environment using Application Default Credentials in the Google Cloud console.
You have set up the development environment for your chosen programming language.
You've installed the Google Cloud Client Library for your chosen programming language.

Prepare the audio data

Before you can transcribe audio from a video, you must extract the data from the video file. After you've extracted the audio data, you must store it in a Cloud Storage bucket or convert it to base64-encoding.

Extract the audio data

You can use any file conversion tool that handles audio and video files, such as FFmpeg .

Use the code snippet below to convert a video file to an audio file using ffmpeg .

Store or convert the audio data

You can transcribe an audio file stored on your local machine or in a Cloud Storage bucket .

Use the following command to upload your audio file to an existing Cloud Storage bucket using the gsutil tool .

If you use a local file and plan to send a request using the curl tool from the command line, you must convert the audio file to base64-encoded data first.

Use the following command to convert an audio file to a text file.

Send a transcription request

Use the following code to send a transcription request to Speech-to-Text.

Local file request

Refer to the speech:recognize API endpoint for complete details.

To perform synchronous speech recognition, make a POST request and provide the appropriate request body. The following shows an example of a POST request using curl . The example uses the Google Cloud CLI to generate an access token. For instructions on installing the gcloud CLI, see the quickstart .

See the RecognitionConfig reference documentation for more information on configuring the request body.

If the request is successful, the server returns a 200 OK HTTP status code and the response in JSON format:

To learn how to install and use the client library for Speech-to-Text, see Speech-to-Text client libraries . For more information, see the Speech-to-Text Go API reference documentation .

To authenticate to Speech-to-Text, set up Application Default Credentials. For more information, see Set up authentication for a local development environment .

To learn how to install and use the client library for Speech-to-Text, see Speech-to-Text client libraries . For more information, see the Speech-to-Text Java API reference documentation .

To learn how to install and use the client library for Speech-to-Text, see Speech-to-Text client libraries . For more information, see the Speech-to-Text Node.js API reference documentation .

To learn how to install and use the client library for Speech-to-Text, see Speech-to-Text client libraries . For more information, see the Speech-to-Text Python API reference documentation .

Additional languages

C# : Please follow the C# setup instructions on the client libraries page and then visit the Speech-to-Text reference documentation for .NET.

PHP : Please follow the PHP setup instructions on the client libraries page and then visit the Speech-to-Text reference documentation for PHP.

Ruby : Please follow the Ruby setup instructions on the client libraries page and then visit the Speech-to-Text reference documentation for Ruby.

Remote file request

To avoid incurring charges to your Google Cloud account for the resources used in this tutorial, either delete the project that contains the resources, or keep the project and delete the individual resources.

Delete the project

The easiest way to eliminate billing is to delete the project that you created for the tutorial.

Go to Manage resources

In the project list, select the project that you want to delete, and then click Delete .
In the dialog, type the project ID, and then click Shut down to delete the project.

Delete instances

Go to VM instances

Select the checkbox for the instance that you want to delete.
To delete the instance, click more_vert More actions , click Delete , and then follow the instructions.

Delete firewall rules for the default network

Go to Firewall

Select the checkbox for the firewall rule that you want to delete.
To delete the firewall rule, click delete Delete .

What's next

Learn how to get timestamps for audio.
Identify different speakers in an audio file.

Try it for yourself

If you're new to Google Cloud, create an account to evaluate how Speech-to-Text performs in real-world scenarios. New customers also get $300 in free credits to run, test, and deploy workloads.

Except as otherwise noted, the content of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License , and code samples are licensed under the Apache 2.0 License . For details, see the Google Developers Site Policies . Java is a registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates.

Last updated 2024-04-18 UTC.

The Ultimate Guide to Captivate Your Audience: Transforming Google Slides with AI Text-to-Speech

In this blog post, we will explore the definition of AI voiceover technology and its various applications, including making your Google Slides presentation stand out with new voices.

Whether for your next Google slides presentation or your next faceless YouTube video, Artificial intelligence (AI) voiceover technology has revolutionized the way we interact with digital content.

In this blog post, we will explore the definition of AI voiceover technology and its various applications, including making your Google Slides presentation stand out with funky new voices.

Whether you're a technology enthusiast or simply curious about the future of voice technology, this article will provide you with a clear understanding of AI voiceover and its impact on your next Google Slides presentation.

So sit back, relax, and let's dive into the world of AI voiceover technology in Google Slides!

5 Steps to Using an AI Voiceover in a Google Slides Presentation

So, how can you use AI voices to bring your next Google Slides presentation to life? It's simple! Use ElevenLabs for a next-level AI voiceover that makes your presentation stand out.

In the dynamic world of presentations, harnessing the power of technology can elevate your content and captivate your audience. Integrating artificial intelligence seamlessly into your presentations can add a professional touch and engage your audience on a whole new level.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process.

Step 1: Choosing the Right AI Voiceover Tool

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ElevenLabs-1024x577.png

Before diving into the world of AI voiceovers, it's crucial to select the right tool for your needs.

Numerous platforms offer AI-generated voices, each with its own set of features and capabilities. Some popular choices include Google's own Text-to-Speech API, Amazon Polly, and IBM Watson Text-to-Speech.

When we consider factors such as voice quality, language options, and pricing, ElevenLabs simply offers the best-quality output at the most accessible price. You can even get started for free!

Join ElevenLabs here and start generating your AI voiceover for Google Slides.

Step 2: Preparing Your Google Slide Presentation

Once you've joined ElevenLabs, the next step is to create an incredible Google Slides presentation.

Ensure your Google Slide presentation is organized, with clear headings and concise content. This step not only streamlines the voiceover process but also enhances the overall effectiveness of your presentation. Take the time to structure your slides logically, making it easier for the AI voiceover tool to interpret and convey your message effectively.

Don't forget the script! To generate your AI voiceover for Google Slides, you'll need a captivating script that you can convert into voiceover. Write this in this step.

Psst - Struggling to write a script? Why not let AI help! Use ChatGPT to create a script in a few clicks; then you're ready for the next step.

Step 3: Converting Text to Speech Using AI Voiceover

With your presentation prepared and your script ready, it's time to leverage the power of AI to convert text to speech.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ElevenLabs-Speech-Synthesis-1024x577.png

ElevenLabs provides a user-friendly interface, allowing you to input your text and select various parameters such as pitch, speed, and emphasis in its Speech Synthesis tool.

Now, you can experiment with these settings to find the right balance that complements your presentation style. The goal is to achieve a natural and engaging voice that resonates with your audience.

Step 4: Customizing AI Voiceover Settings

Remember: personalization is key when using AI voiceover in Google Slides. Tailor the voiceover settings to match the tone and atmosphere of your presentation.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ElevenLabs-VoiceLab-1024x577.png

Adjust the pacing, volume, and pronunciation as needed to ensure seamless integration with your content. ElevenLabs also offers options for adding pauses, emphasis on specific words, and even changing the gender of the voice in the Voice Lab section.

Take advantage of these customization features to create a voiceover that aligns perfectly with your narrative in your Google Slides presentation.

Step 5: Integrating AI Voiceover in Your Google Slide Presentation

Once you've fine-tuned your AI voiceover settings, it's time to seamlessly integrate it into your Google Slide presentation.

ElevenLabs provides export options that allow you to download the generated audio file in multiple formats for you to then upload. Upload this file to your presentation, syncing the voiceover with each corresponding slide.

Our top tip? Ensure that the timing aligns with your content, creating a cohesive and synchronized experience for your audience.

The Future of AI in GoogleSlide

Thanks to advancements in AI voiceover technology, presenters can now have their content narrated in a natural and engaging way, eliminating the need for manual voiceover recording.

Additionally, AI-powered presentations incorporate enhanced interactive features, making them more immersive and captivating for the audience. This has the potential to greatly impact audience engagement, as participants can actively interact with the content.

Moreover, the integration of AI voiceover with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) opens up exciting possibilities for creating truly immersive and interactive presentations.

Benefits of Using AI Voiceover in Google Slide Presentations

But why bother going through all this trouble? Couldn't you just speak your presentation yourself?

Well, while that's certainly a possibility, using AI voiceover in Google Slide presentations offers several benefits. Firstly, AI voiceovers greatly improve accessibility for diverse audiences. By providing a voiceover option, individuals with visual impairments or reading difficulties can easily access the content, download subtitles, or even translate your presentation into a different language at the touch of a button.

Secondly, using AI in your Google Slides presentations saves time and cost in presentation creation and ensures your audience can rewatch, pause, review, and return to the content over and over.

Lastly, AI voiceovers enhance engagement and retention of information. By adding a dynamic audio element, presentations become more engaging, capturing your audience's attention and increasing their likelihood of retaining key points.

Overall, AI voiceover brings convenience, efficiency, and improved audience experience to Google Slide presentations.

Final Thoughts

Using AI voiceover in Google Slide presentations offers numerous benefits, such as increased engagement and information retention. By incorporating AI technology, you can captivate your audience and deliver content engagingly and dynamically.

Try ElevenLabs today

Help Center
Google Docs Editors
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Submit feedback

Voice over generator for Google Slides

Voice over generator for Google Slides lets you add engaging, fun, and animating voice audio files to your presentation to make it stand out. Here is how.

Google Slides presentations are full of beautiful templates and other useful functionalities. If you chose this app to make high-quality content, you couldn’t have made a better choice.

However, adding a voice recording to your slides can make them more effective than the standard slide presentation. You can use a voice over in various scenarios to engage your audience and make your content stand out.

What is Google Slides?

Google Slides is an easy-to-use online presentation app, much like Microsoft’s PowerPoint . It lets users create beautiful multiple-format presentations and share them with others.

Anyone with a Google account can use this tool for free. You can add, format, and edit images, videos, and text in Slides.

Google Slides can be shared as files or folders. Much like with any other Google shared doc, you can choose who has access to the file and who can edit or comment. You can export your Google Slide with a voice-over as a video file and upload it on YouTube or any platform you need.

Why add a voice-over to Google Slides?

Voiceover is an audio version of a text. It can be added to any presentation, including Google Slides, using computer-generated voice.

The benefits of adding voiceover to Google Slides include the following:

Professional-looking Slides

Adding a voiceover to slide shows can help you maintain high standards. It’s the tip of the iceberg when it comes to professionalism. The right amount of images, graphs, and animations in combination with a voiceover can help you sell a product or share your ideas like no other content piece. It shows you put thought and effort into your presentation.

Easier comprehension

When you add an audio version of the written text to the presentation, you ease the comprehension process for some individuals. Slow readers can easily follow the slides without feeling left behind.

Makes the material inclusive

Voiceover doesn’t only help slow readers. People with learning and reading disabilities can follow the presentation or lecture without feeling overwhelmed about decoding the written content.

People with conditions like dyslexia or ADHD can significantly benefit from voiceovers in presentations.

Wide range of use cases

There are numerous use cases for voiceovers, aside from Google Slides:

E-learning material – Whether creating an online course, step-by-step guide, or tutorial video on YouTube, you can use voiceovers to add emotion to your content.
Web pages – Voiceovers make web pages more accessible and interactive by inserting an audio version for people with visual impairments.
Business explainers – Explaining a new project or idea to stakeholders becomes more engaging when the presentation is followed by a voiceover.
Combined with background music – A voiceover is a great content add-on for creating mindful videos, recipe videos, and more.
Gaming – Voice and music are two essential parts that make a game attractive and exciting. The game maker uses a voiceover to add elements of speech in a game and ensure it comes at the right time.
For creating podcasts – With a few simple clicks, you can create a high-quality podcast just by having the written script in front of you.

Speechify – The voiceover generator that creates audio recordings

Speechify is a text-to-speech app that creates high-quality audio files from any text document. The program uses AI voices, speech synthesis, OCR technology, and other tools to create lifelike voice recordings.

You can use Speechify to bring any text to life, including Google Drive files and Docs, Chrome and other web pages, Microsoft Word files, and text in any other format. Speechify works great on all devices, including Mac OS, Windows, iOS, Android, and even as a browser extension.

Speechify’s online voiceover generator app goes over the text and creates an alternative version in an audio format. You can then download this file and add it to your Google Slide or any other presentation. Click on “MP3” from the top right corner of the screen to save the audio file on your computer and you’re good to go.

After downloading, you can upload the file to Slides in two simple steps. In the “Insert” section from the top of the screen, select “Audio” and pick the downloaded file from your computer.

You can also use your own voice recording tool or software to manipulate the voice recording however you like.

Try Speechify for free

A Speechify subscription offers numerous features. A text-to-speech functionality, in combination with a robust voice generator and affordable pricing , gives you a comprehensive package. Reading , recording speeches, and adding high-quality voice over audio files to presentations has become much easier. Simply write a script, input it into the program and turn any text to speech . It’s that simple and you can download the audio files in multiple format options, including WAV and MP3 .

Download the app from the Google Play or App Store or Speechify’s official website and start recording voice overs today by trying Speechif’y’s voice over generator for free .

Can you do a voice over for Google Slides?

Yes, you can add a voice over to any slide. Hit the “Insert” option from the toolbar, then “Audio,” and pick an audio file from your computer or record audio you want to add to your smartphone.

What is the best way to do a voice over for Google Slides?

You can make third-party computer-generated voice overs with apps like Murf , Audacity, or Speechify. Alternatively, you can hire a real voice actor to record the voice over for you.

How do I make the voice over louder?

Use the volume buttons on your device to increase the volume of your voice over. Make sure the computer-generated voice you choose for your voice over is clear and loud enough in the first place.

Previous Text-to-Voice Apps
Next Reading time

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.

Recent Blogs

Voice Simulator & Content Creation with AI-Generated Voices

Convert Audio and Video to Text: Transcription Has Never Been Easier.

How to Record Voice Overs Properly Over Gameplay: Everything You Need to Know

Voicemail Greeting Generator: The New Way to Engage Callers

How to Avoid AI Voice Scams

Character AI Voices: Revolutionizing Audio Content with Advanced Technology

Best AI Voices for Video Games

How to Monetize YouTube Channels with AI Voices

Multilingual Voice API: Bridging Communication Gaps in a Diverse World

Resemble.AI vs ElevenLabs: A Comprehensive Comparison

Apps to Read PDFs on Mobile and Desktop

How to Convert a PDF to an Audiobook: A Step-by-Step Guide

AI for Translation: Bridging Language Barriers

IVR Conversion Tool: A Comprehensive Guide for Healthcare Providers

Best AI Speech to Speech Tools

AI Voice Recorder: Everything You Need to Know

The Best Multilingual AI Speech Models

Program that will Read PDF Aloud: Yes it Exists

How to Convert Your Emails to an Audiobook: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

How to Convert iOS Files to an Audiobook

How to Convert Google Docs to an Audiobook

How to Convert Word Docs to an Audiobook

Alternatives to Deepgram Text to Speech API

Is Text to Speech HSA Eligible?

Can You Use an HSA for Speech Therapy?

Surprising HSA-Eligible Items

Ultimate guide to ElevenLabs

Voice changer for Discord

How to download YouTube audio

Speechify 3.0 is the Best Text to Speech App Yet.

Only available on iPhone and iPad

To access our catalog of 100,000+ audiobooks, you need to use an iOS device.

Coming to Android soon...

Join the waitlist

Enter your email and we will notify you as soon as Speechify Audiobooks is available for you.

You’ve been added to the waitlist. We will notify you as soon as Speechify Audiobooks is available for you.

How to Add Text-to-Speech in PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide

Adding text-to-speech to PowerPoint presentations is a nifty feature that allows your slides to be more accessible and engaging. Simply go to the ‘Insert’ tab, select ‘Audio’ and then ‘Text-to-Speech’ to add a spoken version of your text. You can choose from different voices and adjust the speed to suit your needs.

Once you’ve added text-to-speech to your PowerPoint, your slides will now have an audio feature that reads the text aloud to your audience. This is especially useful for those who may have difficulty reading or for presentations that will be viewed without a presenter.

Introduction

Talking about presentations, have you ever thought of making your PowerPoint slides talk? Literally! In this digitized era, accessibility is key, and one way to enhance your PowerPoint presentations is by adding text-to-speech (TTS). TTS is an assistive technology that reads digital text aloud, and it’s a game-changer for creating inclusive content. It’s beneficial for individuals with visual impairments, reading difficulties, or those who prefer auditory learning. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to give your presentation a voice when you can’t be there in person.

But why is this important? Well, think about it. We live in a world where content is consumed in various ways. By adding TTS to your PowerPoint presentations, you’re making sure that your content is accessible to a wider audience. This feature is not just for those with disabilities; it’s for everyone. It’s for the multitasker who listens to your presentation while doing something else, or the non-native speaker who benefits from hearing the pronunciation of words. It’s for the educator who wants to provide different ways for students to engage with material, or the professional who wants to add a touch of innovation to their slides. So, let’s dive in and learn how to give your PowerPoint presentations their own voice!

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Add Text-to-Speech in PowerPoint

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, understand that by following these steps, you’ll be able to add audio to your PowerPoint slides that will read the text you select. This will not only make your slides more dynamic but also more inclusive.

Step 1: Open PowerPoint and select the slide

Open your PowerPoint presentation and click on the slide where you want to add text-to-speech.

Choosing the right slide is crucial because the TTS audio will be associated with that particular slide. If you have a lot of text, consider breaking it up across multiple slides to make it easier for your audience to follow along.

Step 2: Go to the ‘Insert’ tab

Navigate to the ‘Insert’ tab on the PowerPoint ribbon, which is at the top of the screen.

The ‘Insert’ tab is where the magic happens. It’s where you can add all sorts of elements to your slides, from images to videos, and yes, TTS audio.

Step 3: Select ‘Audio’ then ‘Text-to-Speech’

Click on ‘Audio’ in the media section of the tab, and then choose ‘Text-to-Speech’ from the dropdown menu.

By selecting ‘Text-to-Speech,’ you’re telling PowerPoint that you want to convert your selected text into spoken words. It’s pretty cool!

Step 4: Highlight the text you want to read aloud

Once the TTS window opens, highlight the text on the slide that you want to convert to speech.

Be selective with the text you choose. Remember, you want your TTS to complement your presentation, not dominate it.

Step 5: Choose the voice and speed

In the TTS window, select the voice and speed you want for the audio. You can preview it to make sure it sounds just right.

This is where you can personalize the TTS feature to match the tone and pace of your presentation. Play around with the different options to find the perfect fit.

Step 6: Insert the audio

After you’re satisfied with the TTS, click ‘Insert’ and the audio will be added to your slide.

Voilà! You’ve now added a voice to your PowerPoint slide. You can move the audio icon around and hide it behind images or off the slide if you prefer a cleaner look.

Additional Information

When it comes to adding text-to-speech in PowerPoint, there are a few additional tips and insights that can enhance your experience. First off, not all versions of PowerPoint have the TTS feature built-in. If you’re using an older version, you might need to upgrade or find a third-party TTS plugin. Also, consider the language and clarity of your text. Since TTS reads exactly what’s written, ensure your text is clear, concise, and free of jargon that might confuse the TTS software.

Furthermore, practice good design principles when using TTS. Since the audio will draw attention to the text, make sure it’s easy to read and visually appealing. Use bullet points, short sentences, and avoid cluttering the slide with too much information. Remember, the goal is to enhance your presentation, not overwhelm your audience.

Lastly, always test your TTS before presenting. This will help you catch any errors, adjust the volume, and ensure the pacing is right. Consider the environment where your presentation will be viewed. Will there be noise interference? Will the audience have headphones? All these factors can affect how well your TTS is received. By paying attention to these details, you ensure that your message is heard loud and clear.

Open PowerPoint and select the slide.
Go to the ‘Insert’ tab.
Select ‘Audio’ then ‘Text-to-Speech’.
Highlight the text for TTS.
Choose the voice and speed.
Insert the audio into your slide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i customize the voice in text-to-speech.

Yes, you can choose from different voices provided by PowerPoint to find one that suits your presentation.

What if my PowerPoint version doesn’t have text-to-speech?

You may need to upgrade to a newer version or find a third-party TTS plugin compatible with PowerPoint.

Can I adjust the speed of the text-to-speech?

Absolutely, you have control over how fast or slow the TTS reads your text.

Will text-to-speech work with any text on my slide?

TTS will read any text that you highlight and choose to convert. However, keep in mind any limitations in text length.

Is there a way to test the text-to-speech before presenting?

Yes, you can preview the TTS in PowerPoint and make adjustments as needed before finalizing your presentation.

PowerPoint has come a long way, and with the text-to-speech feature, it’s making strides in accessibility and versatility. Whether you’re an educator, professional, or just someone who loves to create dynamic presentations, adding TTS is a step towards making your content more inclusive and engaging.

Remember, the goal is to communicate effectively, and by giving your slides a voice, you’re ensuring that your message is not just seen but also heard. So, go ahead, explore this feature, and let your PowerPoint presentations speak for themselves!

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.