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How to use text-to-speech for Google Docs

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Tyler Weitzman
By Tyler Weitzman MS in Computer Science, Stanford University in Productivity on June 14, 2022
Here's how you can have all your Google Docs read aloud with text-to-speech for Google Docs.

    Text to speech Google Docs

    Google Docs is undoubtedly one of the most popular word processing documents in the world. Used by both, professionals & students to the occasional home users.

    What is Google Docs?

    Google Docs is a free and cloud-based word processing tool that enables users to create, edit, and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations online. It is designed to make document creation and editing easy and accessible for everyone.

    Google Docs – A versatile and collaborative word processor

    Google Docs is a versatile tool that can be used for a wide range of tasks. Whether you need to write a report, create a budget spreadsheet, or design a presentation, Google Docs has got you covered. With its user-friendly interface and extensive features, it provides a seamless editing experience.

    Collaborate and track changes in real-time

    One of the standout features of Google Docs is its real-time collaboration functionality. Multiple users can work on the same document simultaneously, allowing for efficient group projects and meetings. You can easily invite collaborators to edit your document by simply sharing the link with them. The ability to track changes ensures that you can review and accept or reject modifications made by others, maintaining version control and fostering a streamlined editing process.

    Enhance your documents with formatting options and text boxes

    Google Docs offers a range of formatting options to help you customize your documents. You can choose from various font styles, sizes, and colors to make your text visually appealing. Additionally, you can insert text boxes to emphasize important information or create a visually appealing layout. Text boxes provide a great way to organize content and make your documents more engaging.

    Document editing in your preferred language

    Google Docs supports multiple languages, including Portuguese (Português). This means you can create, edit, and collaborate on documents in Portuguese, making it a convenient choice for users in Brazil (Brasil) and other Portuguese-speaking regions. The interface is available in Portuguese, ensuring a seamless experience for users who prefer to work in their native language.

    Seamless integration with Google apps and Microsoft word

    Google Docs seamlessly integrates with other Google apps, such as Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Sheets. This integration allows for smooth workflow management, making it easy to access and share your documents across platforms. Furthermore, Google Docs supports importing and exporting Microsoft Word files (docx format), ensuring compatibility and enabling a seamless transition for users familiar with Microsoft Word.

    Effortless access and pricing

    Google Docs provides the convenience of cloud-based storage, allowing you to access your documents from any computer, smartphone, or tablet with an internet connection. Even in situations with limited connectivity, the offline feature enables you to continue editing your documents. Best of all, Google Docs is free to use, making it a cost-effective choice for individuals, businesses, and educational institutions.

    Google Docs is a powerful and accessible word processor that offers a wide range of features to create, edit, and collaborate on documents. Whether you’re working individually or in a team, Google Docs provides a user-friendly environment to enhance your productivity. With its real-time collaboration, extensive formatting options, support for multiple languages, and seamless integration with other apps, it has become a popular choice for users worldwide.

    Navigating the Google Docs homepage

    When you first log in to Google Docs, you will see the homepage, which displays all your documents and folders. The left panel shows your files and folders, while the right panel displays the selected document’s contents.

    To create a new document, simply click the “+ New” button on the left panel and select the document type you want to create. You can choose from a variety of document types, including Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Forms, and Google Drawings. Each of these document types has its own unique features and capabilities, allowing you to tailor your document creation experience to your specific needs.

    Once you have created a document, you can start editing it right away. Google Docs offers a wide range of editing tools and features, including text formatting, tables and charts, images and graphics, comments and suggestions, version history, and more. You can easily customize your document with headers, footers, and page numbers to create a professional and polished look. The table of contents feature in Google Docs makes it easy to navigate lengthy documents and quickly jump to specific sections.

    Formatting and editing in Google Docs

    Basic text formatting

    Google Docs provides a variety of basic text formatting options to enhance the appearance of your documents. You can easily apply formatting such as bold, italic, underline, or strikethrough to emphasize important information. Additionally, you can adjust the font size, change font styles, and modify the text color to suit your preferences.

    Advanced formatting options

    Google Docs goes beyond basic text formatting and offers advanced features to enhance the visual appeal of your documents. You can insert tables to organize data in a structured manner or create visually appealing charts to represent your information graphically. The ability to add images and graphics allows you to incorporate visual elements that support your content and make it more engaging for readers.

    Using add-ons and API integrations

    Google Docs supports a wide range of add-ons available in the Google Workspace marketplace. These add-ons provide additional functionality and features to expand the capabilities of Google Docs. For example, you can install add-ons that enable advanced citation management, streamline document templates, facilitate language translations, or integrate with popular file types and services.

    Moreover, Google Docs offers an API (Application Programming Interface) that allows developers to build custom integrations and automate various tasks. This opens up a world of possibilities for extending the functionality of Google Docs to suit specific business needs or industry requirements.

    Voice typing and keyboard shortcuts

    For those who prefer a hands-free approach to document creation, Google Docs offers a convenient voice typing feature. With voice typing, you can speak your thoughts and ideas, and Google Docs will transcribe them into text. This feature is particularly helpful for individuals who want to capture their ideas quickly or for those with mobility challenges.

    Additionally, Google Docs provides a wide range of keyboard shortcuts to expedite your editing and formatting tasks. By using keyboard shortcuts, you can navigate the document, apply formatting, insert elements, and perform various actions more efficiently, saving you time and effort.

    Google Docs on mobile devices

    Google Docs is not limited to desktop computers; it also offers a seamless experience on mobile devices. Whether you have an iPhone or an Android device, you can download the Google Docs app from the respective app stores and access your documents on the go. The mobile app provides a user-friendly interface, allowing you to create, edit, and collaborate on documents conveniently from your smartphone or tablet.

    Google Docs is a powerful and versatile tool that revolutionizes the way we create, edit, and manage documents. With its cloud-based nature, wide range of features, and intuitive interface, Google Docs simplifies document collaboration, boosts productivity, and ensures easy access to your files from anywhere. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or an organization, Google Docs is an invaluable resource that empowers you to create high-quality documents efficiently and effectively. Sign up for Google Workspace today and unlock the full potential of Google Docs!

    How do you use text-to-speech in google docs

    In this section, we share how you can use text-to-speech right inside Google Docs. Also, other tips and tricks. You can also share audio versions of your document with anyone – so they can listen to your document much faster.

    In the past, regardless of whether you were using a Mac or Windows computer, you essentially had one realistic option – Microsoft’s own Office suite of productivity tools. Now, not only have competitors emerged in the marketplace, but ones like Google Docs are actually free to use with any regular Google account.

    Additionally, nearly everything you create is stored in the cloud – meaning that you can access it on not just desktop and laptop computers but also smartphones, tablets and any other device of your choosing.

    Of course, all of this demands the question – is it possible to use text to speech functionality on documents created using the Google text-to-speech Docs service? The answer to that question requires you to keep a few key things in mind.

    How to get Google Docs to talk to you: breaking things down

    By far, the easiest way to unlock this functionality is by way of a text to speech Google Docs extension. This is a small application that you add to the web browser you’re using, with Google Chrome being the most prominent example.

    Text to speech extension for Google docs

    Speechify supports Google Docs text-to-speech across all devices. From Android, Chrome, Safari, and iOS. Once the Speechify TTS extension is installed, all you have to do is press the “play button” from the toolbar. Speechify will then read everything to you, creating a perfect audio experience that helps you retain more information and better understand the content in front of you.

    See the image above, the “Play” button is there when you need it. Play the entire document or only specific paragraphs. When you are done, one-click share the audio version of your document.

    There is nothing else this useful & powerful yet simple to use for Google Docs. This will turn you into a productivity power user on Google Docs. The best part, you can try this for free, today!

    All told, using text to speech in Google Docs is a great way to empower your ability to communicate and collaborate with both friends and colleagues. Because Google Docs is cloud-based, any changes that someone else makes to a document will be displayed on your own machine in real-time.

    Therefore, if you were collaborating on a project with a co-worker for example, and that co-worker added a few new paragraphs of text to the file, you could have the Speechify extension read that specific information, or the entire thing, immediately after the changes have been made.

    That way, you don’t have to worry about delaying progress on whatever project you’re working on. Regardless of whether you have some type of visual impairment or you just retain more information when it is presented via audio as opposed to text alone (which is true of most of us), this is a highly efficient way to help accomplish your goals.

    Note that depending on the type of computer you’re using, there may be options for text to speech that are available that don’t require you to make any additional downloads. “VoiceOver” is the name of the feature built right into Apple computers, for example. All you have to do is enable it via the “System Preferences” menu and it will allow you to accomplish much the same effect.

    Text-to-speech Google Docs mobile

    Yes. You can even use text to speech for Google Docs on your mobile phone. Speechify TTS is available for all platforms and syncs to the cloud. You just keep working on your document, Speechify is always available when you need it – in the sidebar of your Google Doc.

    FAQs

    How do you do text-to-speech on Google Docs?

    Overall, the process of using text-to-speech in Google Docs is fairly straightforward. All you have to do is open the document in question and select the text you want to read, similarly to how you might highlight a paragraph that you wanted to copy and paste.

    Then, press the “CTRL” and “A” buttons on your keyboard at the same time. This will select all the text. At that point, you can choose the “Accessibility” option on the top menu bar. From there, choose “Speak Selection” from the drop-down menu labeled “Speak.” The screen reader software that you’re using will then read the text out loud.

    Looking for a better experience with natural-sounding voices? Try Speechify for free!

    Can Google Docs read out loud?

    Once you’ve opened the Google Doc in question, select the “Accessibility” menu from the toolbar at the top of the screen. Choose the “Speak” option. At that point, you can click on the button labeled “Speak Selection” from the drop-down menu.

    Once this is activated, you can have Google Docs read out loud from the point that your cursor is currently positioned at. Keep in mind, however, that when the “ChromeVox” functionality is turned on, it will begin reading out loud for every tab that you have open in your browser.

    However, Speechify is the better alternative. Try it free! No matter where you use Google Docs – laptop or mobile device, Safari or Google Chrome, Speechify is the best rated app for text to speech.

    How do I use Google Text to Speech in Chrome?

    If you’re using a text to speech tool like Speechify, the process of enabling this functionality on the Google Chrome web browser couldn’t be more straightforward. So long as the Speechify Google Chrome extension is installed, you can have it read any content on your desktop or laptop that you’d like. Just select the “Play” button from the window at the bottom of the screen. You can also use the “Forward” and “Back” buttons to skip to different positions in the text, or change the playback speed depending on your needs.

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    Tyler Weitzman

    Tyler Weitzman

    Tyler Weitzman is the Co-Founder, Head of Artificial Intelligence & President at Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews. Weitzman is a graduate of Stanford University, where he received a BS in mathematics and a MS in Computer Science in the Artificial Intelligence track. He has been selected by Inc. Magazine as a Top 50 Entrepreneur, and he has been featured in Business Insider, TechCrunch, LifeHacker, CBS, among other publications. Weitzman’s Masters degree research focused on artificial intelligence and text-to-speech, where his final paper was titled: “CloneBot: Personalized Dialogue-Response Predictions.”

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