How to dictate in Excel with your voice (Excel has no Dictate button)
In short
Excel doesn't have the Dictate button that Word, Outlook and PowerPoint have in Microsoft 365. To dictate in Excel, select the cell and use your computer's dictation (Windows + H on Windows, or Mac dictation) or an app like Loro: hold Ctrl + Win (fn on a Mac), talk and let go, and the text appears in the cell. It's best for notes, comments and descriptions; for numbers and formulas, the keyboard is still safer.
Excel has no Dictate button
Microsoft 365's dictation (the Dictate button) is in Word, Outlook and PowerPoint, but not in Excel. That doesn't mean you can't dictate: your computer's dictation and dictation apps type into any cell.
Option 1: Windows voice typing
- Double-click the cell (or select it and press F2) to type in it.
- Press Windows + H and talk.
- Press Enter to save the cell and move to the next one.
It needs the internet and types word for word. How to use Windows voice typing.
Option 2: Mac dictation
- Turn on dictation in Apple menu › System Settings › Keyboard › Dictation.
- Double-click the cell, use your shortcut and talk.
- Press the shortcut again to finish (in Excel, Esc throws away what you typed in the cell), then press Enter to save it.
Option 3: Loro
- Download Loro for free for Windows or Mac.
- Double-click the cell where the text goes.
- Hold Ctrl + Win (fn on a Mac) and talk.
- Let go and press Enter.
An example, in an orders sheet. You say: "the client asked to move the delivery to Thursday, um, and for us to confirm by email". Loro types in the cell: "The client asked to move the delivery to Thursday and for us to confirm by email.".
What dictating in Excel is good for
- Notes and comments on each row: orders, clients, sales follow-ups.
- Long descriptions, for example of products or tasks.
- Remarks in logs, inventories or class lists.
For figures, exact dates and formulas, type them: a misheard number in a spreadsheet is expensive.
The options, compared
| Windows voice typing | Mac dictation |  Loro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works in Excel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| How you use it | Windows + H | The shortcut you choose | Hold Ctrl + Win (fn on a Mac) |
| Offline | No | Depends on the Mac | Yes |
| Removes "um" and "uh" | Only on Copilot+ PCs, in English | No | Yes |
| Punctuation | Optional | In supported languages | Yes, on its own |
| Works in Google Sheets | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Try Loro for free
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Frequently asked questions
Does Excel have voice dictation?
It doesn't have Microsoft 365's Dictate button, which is in Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. But you can dictate in Excel with Windows + H, with Mac dictation or with Loro.
How do I dictate into an Excel cell?
Double-click the cell (or press F2) and dictate with Windows + H, Mac dictation, or by holding Ctrl + Win with Loro. Then press Enter.
Can I dictate numbers and formulas?
You can, but it's not a good idea: for exact figures and formulas, the keyboard is safer. Dictation is for text: notes, descriptions and comments.
Does it work in Google Sheets?
Google Sheets has no voice typing (Google's is only in Docs). With Windows + H, Mac dictation or Loro you can dictate in Sheets.
Sources
- Microsoft, Dictate in Microsoft 365 (apps with the Dictate button), checked on October 13, 2026.
- Microsoft, voice typing in Windows. Apple, dictation on Mac.
Keep reading
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Dictate in Word
Three ways to dictate in Word: Microsoft 365's Dictate button, Windows or Mac dictation, and Loro, which types clean text in Word and in any other app. Step by step, and which one is worth it.
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Voice typing on Windows
How to dictate with your voice on Windows 10 and 11 using Windows + H, how to add punctuation, what to do if it doesn't work, and when an app like Loro, which cleans up your text and works offline, is worth it.
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Dictate in Google Docs
How to use Google Docs voice typing: the menu, the shortcut, punctuation and its limits, and how to dictate in Docs and in any other app with clean text, on Windows and Mac.
Microsoft Excel, Microsoft 365, Windows and macOS are trademarks of their owners. Loro is not affiliated with them. Each app's details come from its official pages, checked on October 15, 2026.