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Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › office › use-the-speak-text-to-speech-feature-to-read-text-aloud-459e7704-a76d-4fe2-ab48-189d6b83333c
Use the Speak text-to-speech feature to read text aloud - Microsoft Support
After you have added the Speak command to your Quick Access Toolbar, you can hear single words or blocks of text read aloud by selecting the text you want to hear and then clicking the Speak icon on the Quick Access Toolbar.
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Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › office › listen-to-your-word-documents-5a2de7f3-1ef4-4795-b24e-64fc2731b001
Listen to your Word documents - Microsoft Support
Read Aloud reads all or part of your document. You can use Read Aloud on its own or within Immersive Reader for Word in Windows and MacOS.
People also ask

What if the Read Aloud feature suddenly stops working in Microsoft Word?
If the Read Aloud feature suddenly stops working in Microsoft Word, try these simple solutions: Step 1. Close and reopen Word. Step 2. Check the Read Aloud button. Step 3. Update Microsoft Word. Step 4. Enable Text-to-Speech in Accessibility settings. Step 5. Restart your computer. Step 6. Disable conflicting add-ins. Step 7. Test with a different document. Step 8. Reinstall Microsoft Office if needed. Get assistance from Microsoft support if the problem continues.
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wps.com
wps.com › home › blog › office guide › how to get microsoft word to read your document aloud (step-by-step)
How to Get Microsoft Word to Read Your Document Aloud (Step-by-Step)
How to add new voices to the Read Aloud feature in MS?
To add new voices to the Read Aloud feature in Microsoft Word, follow these simple steps: Step 1. Access Windows Settings. Step 2. Go to Time & Language. Step 3. Select Language & Region. Step 4. Add a New Language and install the language pack. Step 5. Choose Voice Options and install Text-to-Speech. Step 6. Change voice settings in Speech settings. Step 7. Test the new voice by using Read Aloud in Microsoft Word. With these straightforward instructions, you can enhance your Read Aloud experience with new voices in no time.
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wps.com
wps.com › home › blog › office guide › how to get microsoft word to read your document aloud (step-by-step)
How to Get Microsoft Word to Read Your Document Aloud (Step-by-Step)
Will the Read Aloud feature do harm to document privacy?
No, the Read Aloud feature in Microsoft Word does not harm document privacy. It operates locally on your device and does not access or transmit any data externally. Your documents remain secure and private when using this feature.
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wps.com
wps.com › home › blog › office guide › how to get microsoft word to read your document aloud (step-by-step)
How to Get Microsoft Word to Read Your Document Aloud (Step-by-Step)
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Speechify
speechify.com › blog › top-ways-to-have-microsoft-read-aloud
Top 3 ways to have Microsoft read aloud to you | Speechify
April 28, 2023 - To do this, right-click the Read Aloud button and select "Add to Quick Access Toolbar." This will allow you to access the feature with a single click rather than having to navigate through the Review tab.
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Speechify
speechify.com › blog › text-to-speech-microsoft-word
Can Microsoft Word Read Aloud? A Comprehensive Guide | Speechify
August 22, 2022 - Open Your Document: Open the Microsoft Word document you want to read aloud. Activate Speechify: Use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl + Space" (Windows) or "Ctrl + Space" (MacOS) to activate Speechify.
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MakeUseOf
makeuseof.com › home › productivity › 5 ways to make your computer read documents to you
5 Ways to Make Your Computer Read Documents to You
February 7, 2022 - To make Word read to you on your Windows computer, follow the step-by-step instructions below: Open the document you want Word to read. Place the cursor where you want to the Word reader to begin. Go to Review > Speech > Read Aloud.
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PCWorld
pcworld.com › home › how-to › software how-to
Microsoft Word reads to you: How to use the Speak and Read Aloud commands | PCWorld
April 30, 2025 - The Speak preferences are defined in Widows, not in Word specifically. ... 2. Select Ease of Access > Speech Recognition > Text to Speech, and the Speech Properties dialog window opens on the Text to Speech tab.
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IONOS
ionos.ca › digital guide › online marketing › online sales › read word aloud
Get your Word document read aloud - step by step guide - IONOS CA
November 30, 2021 - Alternatively, press [Alt] + [Ctrl] + [Space]. control buttons for reading aloud appear at the top right of the document window: Back, Pause, Forward, Settings (to change the speed and speaking voice).
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Top answer
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The easiest thing to fix is if the Speech section and the Read Aloud button that it contains has been accidentally removed from the Review ribbon. To see whether that's the problem:

  • Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
  • In the dropdown at the top right, select "Main Tabs".
  • In the list on the right, double-click the Review item to expand the entries under it.
  • If the Proofing item is immediately followed by the Accessibility item, instead of the Speech item:
    • Click on Proofing and leave it selected.
    • In the dropdown above the list on the left, select "Main Tabs".
    • In the list, double-click the Review item.
    • Select the Speech item and then click the Add button between the two lists.

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  • The Speech item should now appear in the list on the right, where the arrow points. Click OK, and look for the Read Aloud button on the Review ribbon.

If the Read Aloud button still doesn't appear, please use the steps in the Microsoft page https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Repair-an-Office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b40c5bb88b  to run an Online Repair.

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For a question like this, it's very important to know which of the multiple versions of Word you're using. Is it Word installed on your desktop, or are you using Word Online in your browser?

If it's desktop Word, is it a subscription version (Microsoft 365) or one of the single-dated versions (such as Word 2021)? What are the version and build numbers shown on the File > Account page under the "About Word" heading? For example, I have Microsoft 365, Version 2402 (Build 17328.20162) Current Channel. In that version, the Read Aloud button is on the Review ribbon.

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WPS Office
wps.com › home › blog › office guide › how to get microsoft word to read your document aloud (step-by-step)
How to Get Microsoft Word to Read Your Document Aloud (Step-by-Step)
September 11, 2025 - Boost your productivity with WPS's abundant free Word, Excel, PPT, and CV templates. ... Step 1. Access Windows Settings. Step 2. Go to Time & Language. Step 3. Select Language & Region. Step 4. Add a New Language and install the language pack. Step 5. Choose Voice Options and install Text-to-Speech. Step 6. Change voice settings in Speech settings. Step 7. Test the new voice by using Read Aloud in Microsoft Word.
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MiniTool
minitool.com › home › news › how to make the microsoft word read aloud to you
How To Make The Microsoft Word Read Aloud To You - MiniTool
August 16, 2022 - Click Read Aloud. The content will be read out loud. Microsoft Word Won’t Open On Windows & Mac: How To Fix It.
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Proofed
proofed.com › home › how to make microsoft word read aloud
How to Make Microsoft Word Read Aloud | Proofed's Writing Tips
April 4, 2022 - 6. A little box will appear showing the Read Aloud controls. You can use these to pause, play, or skip between passages of text. Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/dyslexia › how to get a word document to read out loud? new voice?
r/Dyslexia on Reddit: How to get a Word document to read out loud? New voice?
March 25, 2024 -

Hi, I am a writer with Dyslexia and I really need my Word documents read out to me to find spelling errors. Microsoft has a built-in reader, but they recently changed the Read out Loud feature's voice. It's a good voice, but she reads everything with a happy inflection and it's driving me batty. I really wish I could have the old voice; I haven't been able to write without it and I am so frustrated. Is there a application you guys know that I could install to read a Word document other then the build-in reader? Thank you.

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Help Desk Geek
helpdeskgeek.com › home › how-to › how to get microsoft word to read your document aloud
How to Get Microsoft Word to Read Your Document Aloud
January 31, 2025 - The options vary depending on your installed voices on Windows or macOS. If you want to hear a particular portion of the document or start in a spot other than the beginning, select the text or place your cursor at the beginning of the line. Then, start the playback using the Play button. When you finish using Read Aloud, use the X on the right of the controls to close and exit. You can then continue working on or reading your Word document as usual.
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Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › complete-guide-to-narrator-e4397a0d-ef4f-b386-d8ae-c172f109bdb1
Complete guide to Narrator - Microsoft Support
If you'd like to hear when a letter is capitalized, Narrator can say "cap" before it, or read the word or letter in a higher pitch. To change how Narrator handles capitalization, go to the section Change what you hear when reading and interacting in Narrator settings. Magnifier, the screen-magnifying feature that comes with Windows 10, will now read text aloud.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/microsoftword › read aloud all of a sudden not working?
r/MicrosoftWord on Reddit: Read Aloud all of a sudden not working?
February 8, 2022 -

I’ve been able to use read aloud ever since I had Word, but now all of a sudden it’s greyed out no matter what I click on. What would be a good way to get this functionality back?

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MakeUseOf
makeuseof.com › home › productivity › how to use the read aloud feature in microsoft word
How to Use the Read Aloud Feature in Microsoft Word
December 18, 2021 - Click on Read Aloud, otherwise, press Alt + Ctrl + Space. ... Microsoft Word will begin reading aloud from the active page.
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Softkeys
softkeys.uk › blogs › blog › how-to-get-microsoft-word-to-read-to-you
How to Get Microsoft Word to Read to You?
June 13, 2023 - Open a document in Microsoft Word. Select the text you want it to read. Go to the Review tab in the ribbon. Click on Read Aloud.
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WPS Office
wps.com › home › blog › word resources › how to fix word read aloud not working (easy way)
How to Fix Word Read Aloud Not Working (Easy way)
October 16, 2025 - Experiencing issues with Word read aloud on your Windows system? This comprehensive tutorial will guide you through the troubleshooting process to get the text-to-speech functionality up and running flawlessly.
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AllThings
allthings.how › how-to-use-microsoft-word-read-aloud-feature
How to Use Microsoft Word Read Aloud Feature
January 17, 2025 - For quick access, you can the Read Aloud button to the Quick Access Toolbar in the upper left corner of the Ribbon in Word. The Quick Access Toolbar is customizable, you can add or remove any tool or option in there.