Enhanced Dictation is a powerful feature on macOS that allows users to dictate text and control their Mac using voice commands. This feature is particularly useful for those who prefer hands-free operation or have accessibility needs. Enhanced Dictation works offline, providing instant feedback and greater privacy since it does not require an internet connection. In this article, we will explore how to enable and use Enhanced Dictation on macOS, along with practical examples to help you get started.

Examples:

1. Enabling Enhanced Dictation:

   To enable Enhanced Dictation on your Mac, follow these steps:

   • Open System Preferences.
   • Click on Keyboard.
   • Go to the Dictation tab.
   • Turn on Dictation.
   • Check the box for Use Enhanced Dictation. This will download the necessary files for offline use.

2. Using Enhanced Dictation:

   Once Enhanced Dictation is enabled, you can start using it by pressing the default shortcut (usually Fn key twice). Here’s how to dictate text:

   • Open any text field or application where you can enter text (e.g., TextEdit, Pages, Safari).
   • Press the Fn key twice to start dictation.
   • Speak clearly into your Mac’s microphone. You will see your spoken words appear as text.
   • Press the Fn key again to stop dictation.

3. Voice Commands:

   Enhanced Dictation also supports various voice commands to control your Mac. Here are some examples:

   • "Open Safari": Launches the Safari browser.
   • "Switch to Mail": Switches to the Mail application.
   • "Scroll down": Scrolls down the current page.
   • "Bold that": Bolds the selected text.

4. Customizing Dictation Commands:

   You can create custom dictation commands to perform specific actions:

   • Open System Preferences.
   • Go to Accessibility.
   • Select Voice Control.
   • Click on Commands.
   • Click the + button to add a new command.
   • Enter a phrase for the command, choose the action (e.g., open an application, run a script), and specify any additional details.

5. Example Script for Custom Command:

   You can create a custom command to run a specific AppleScript. Here’s an example:

   • Open Script Editor (found in Applications > Utilities).
   • Enter the following script to open a specific website:

     tell application "Safari"
      activate
      open location "https://www.apple.com"
     end tell

   • Save the script.
   • In the custom command settings, choose Run AppleScript and select the saved script.