How to Transcribe Audio to Text in Microsoft Word

Kevin Stratvert
28 Aug 202009:46

TLDRIn this informative video, Kevin introduces the new 'Transcribe' feature in Microsoft Word Online, which allows users to convert pre-recorded audio files into text. This feature is particularly useful for transcribing interviews or lectures and can identify different speakers in the conversation. However, it is currently only available in English and requires a premium Microsoft 365 subscription. To use it, one must log into Word Online, upload an audio file, or start a new recording directly within the platform. The transcribed text can be edited for accuracy and easily integrated into a Word document. The video also demonstrates how to edit speaker labels and timestamps for a more personalized and accurate transcription. The feature is set to enhance the efficiency of converting spoken content into written form and is expected to expand to other languages in the future.

Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ“ **Transcribe Feature in Word Online**: Microsoft Word online introduces a new feature that allows transcribing pre-recorded audio into text.
  • ๐ŸŽค **Different from Dictation**: While dictation converts speech to text in real-time, the transcribe feature works with pre-recorded audio files.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ **Use Cases**: Ideal for transcribing interviews or lectures recorded on a phone, which can then be uploaded to Word online for transcription.
  • ๐Ÿ’ก **Identifies Multiple Speakers**: The transcribe feature can identify and differentiate between various speakers in an audio conversation.
  • ๐Ÿ’ป **Word Online Requirement**: The feature is currently only available in Word online and will be coming to the desktop app soon.
  • ๐Ÿ”’ **Premium Account Needed**: To use transcribe, a premium Microsoft 365 account is required, which may be available through work or school, or via a consumer subscription.
  • ๐ŸŒ **Accessing Word Online**: Users can access Word online by signing in at office.com and navigating to the Word start page.
  • ๐Ÿ“‚ **File Upload Process**: To transcribe an audio file, it must first be uploaded to Word online, where it will be processed and transcribed.
  • ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ **Currently English Only**: The transcribe feature is currently available in English, with support for other languages coming soon.
  • โฏ๏ธ **Playback Controls**: Once transcribed, users have playback controls to listen to the audio, adjust speed, and volume.
  • ๐Ÿ–‹๏ธ **Editable Transcript**: Transcripts can be edited directly within Word online for any inaccuracies, and speaker names can be customized for clarity.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ **Integration with OneDrive**: Transcribed audio files are uploaded to OneDrive, providing a record and history of the transcribed content.

Q & A

  • What is the main difference between the 'dictate' and 'transcribe' features in Microsoft Word?

    -The 'dictate' feature allows you to speak in real-time and have your speech converted into text instantly, while the 'transcribe' feature lets you upload a pre-recorded audio file, which Word online will then transcribe into text.

  • Is the 'transcribe' feature available in all versions of Microsoft Word?

    -No, the 'transcribe' feature is currently only available in Word online and is planned to come to the desktop app in the future.

  • What kind of accounts are required to use the 'transcribe' feature in Microsoft Word?

    -A premium Microsoft 365 account is needed to use the 'transcribe' feature. If you have a consumer account, you must have an active subscription.

  • How can I access Word online to use the 'transcribe' feature?

    -To access Word online, go to office.com, sign in, and then click on Word to either open an existing document or start a new blank document.

  • What types of audio files are supported for uploading in the 'transcribe' feature?

    -The 'transcribe' feature supports standard audio files such as MP3 and WAV.

  • Is the 'transcribe' feature available in multiple languages?

    -At the time of the video, the 'transcribe' feature is only available in English, but it is expected to be introduced in other languages soon.

  • How does Word online handle multiple speakers in an audio file during transcription?

    -Word online identifies different speakers in the audio file and groups the transcription by each speaker, allowing for easier identification of who is speaking at any given time.

  • Can I edit the transcription if there are any mistakes?

    -Yes, you can edit the transcription by clicking on the edit icon next to the speaker's name or the timestamp, making corrections as needed.

  • What happens to the audio file after it is transcribed in Word online?

    -After transcription, a copy of the audio file is uploaded to OneDrive, allowing you to have a record and history of the audio files that have been transcribed.

  • How can I incorporate the transcribed text into my Word document?

    -You can either select specific snippets of the transcribed text and add them to your document using the plus icon, or you can add the entire transcription by clicking on 'add all to document'.

  • What additional feature does the 'transcribe' pane offer besides uploading audio files?

    -The 'transcribe' pane also offers a 'start recording' option, allowing you to record audio directly within Word online and then transcribe it.

Outlines

00:00

๐Ÿ“ Introduction to Word Online's Transcribe Feature

Kevin introduces a new feature in Word Online called 'transcribe,' which allows users to upload pre-recorded audio files for transcription into text. This is different from the 'dictate' function, which transcribes speech in real-time. The transcribe feature is particularly useful for converting interviews or lectures into text. However, it is currently only available in Word Online and requires a premium Microsoft 365 subscription. Kevin guides viewers through the process of accessing Word Online, starting a new document, and finding the transcribe option within the 'dictate' menu. He also demonstrates the difference between real-time dictation and uploading a pre-recorded audio file for transcription.

05:06

๐ŸŽค Exploring the Transcribe Feature's Capabilities

Kevin demonstrates the process of using the transcribe feature in Word Online. He explains how to upload an audio file and shows the types of files supported. He notes that the feature is currently only available in English but will support other languages soon. After uploading an audio file, Word Online transcribes the audio and identifies different speakers, even allowing users to rename them for clarity. The transcribed text can be edited directly within the Word document, and users can choose to insert individual sections or the entire transcription into their document. Kevin also highlights the ability to start a new recording directly within Word Online, which can be paused and resumed, and then transcribed. He concludes by showing how Word Online organizes transcribed files in a new OneDrive folder.

Mindmap

Keywords

๐Ÿ’กTranscribe

Transcribe refers to the process of converting spoken language into written text. In the context of the video, it is a feature in Microsoft Word online that allows users to upload pre-recorded audio files and have them converted into text. This is particularly useful for situations where real-time dictation is not feasible, such as when transcribing an interview or a lecture that has already been recorded.

๐Ÿ’กMicrosoft Word

Microsoft Word is a widely used word processing software developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Office suite and is used for creating, editing, and formatting documents. In the video, Word online is highlighted for its new transcribe feature, which is an extension of its existing capabilities to support document creation from audio files.

๐Ÿ’กDictation

Dictation is the process of speaking aloud to have the spoken words converted into written text in real-time. The video script differentiates dictation from transcribe, noting that while dictation has been available for some time in various applications, the new transcribe feature in Word online allows for the conversion of pre-recorded audio into text.

๐Ÿ’กWord Online

Word Online is the web-based version of Microsoft Word, which allows users to access and edit documents via a web browser without needing to install the desktop application. The video focuses on the new transcribe functionality available in Word Online, which is not yet available in the desktop version of Word.

๐Ÿ’กPremium Microsoft 365 Account

A premium Microsoft 365 account refers to a subscription-based service that offers access to Microsoft's suite of productivity software and services, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. The video mentions that to use the transcribe feature in Word online, one must have a premium Microsoft 365 account, indicating that this feature is not available in the free version.

๐Ÿ’กOneDrive

OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service, which allows users to store files and access them from any device. In the video, it is mentioned that when a user transcribes an audio file in Word online, a copy of the audio file is also uploaded to OneDrive, providing a record of the audio associated with the transcribed text.

๐Ÿ’กAudio File

An audio file is a digital file that contains audio content, such as music or speech. In the context of the video, audio files are uploaded to Word online to be transcribed into text. The script specifies that Word online supports standard audio file formats like MP3 and WAV for transcription.

๐Ÿ’กSpeaker Identification

Speaker identification is the process of recognizing and distinguishing between different speakers in an audio recording. The video script highlights that the transcribe feature in Word online can identify different speakers in the audio file and label the transcribed text accordingly, which aids in understanding who is speaking at any given time.

๐Ÿ’กEdit

In the context of the video, 'edit' refers to the ability to make changes to the transcribed text. The script describes how users can edit the transcription, such as correcting errors or changing the speaker labels, to ensure the accuracy of the transcribed document.

๐Ÿ’กTimestamp

A timestamp in the video script refers to the specific points in time within an audio file. The transcribe feature in Word online allows users to click on a timestamp to start playing the audio from that exact point, which is useful for reviewing and verifying parts of the transcription.

๐Ÿ’กStart Recording

Start recording is an option within the transcribe feature that allows users to record audio directly through Word online. The video demonstrates how this can be done while simultaneously working on the Word document, such as taking notes during a lecture, and then transcribe the recording afterward.

Highlights

Microsoft Word online introduces a new feature called 'transcribe'.

Transcribe allows users to upload pre-recorded audio and get a transcription of the conversation.

The feature can identify different speakers in the audio file.

Transcribe is only available in Word online and will be coming to the desktop app soon.

A premium Microsoft 365 account is required to use the transcribe feature.

To access transcribe, log into Word online via office.com and select Word.

Transcribe is located in the home tab under the dictate option.

Dictate vs. Transcribe: Dictate converts speech to text in real-time, while Transcribe uses pre-recorded audio.

Supported audio file formats for transcribe include MP3 and WAV.

The transcribe feature is currently only available in English, with more languages coming soon.

Users can upload an audio file or start recording directly in Word online.

Transcribed audio files are saved to OneDrive for future reference.

Transcribe provides playback controls to listen to the audio and adjust playback speed.

The transcription identifies different speakers and allows users to edit speaker names.

Users can edit the transcription text directly within Word online.

Transcribed text can be added to the Word document as individual sections or the entire transcript.

The 'start recording' option allows users to record audio while simultaneously working on their document.

Word online creates a 'Transcribed files' folder in OneDrive for storing audio recordings and transcriptions.

The transcribe feature simplifies converting interviews or lectures into text for faster review.