I had to check it out and oh dear. If you click on Read Aloud and on the bar that appears there is a gear, and you can change the voice to male. It's a little bit better, but not by much. From what I can see, MS. Word doesn't use system voices anymore. I'm going to dig through the settings some more, but I don't see anything. I don't know if you can get any more voiced for MS. Word. I would be kind of cool if you could. Currently, I use TextAloud as my TTS program, so I don't have to be stuck with MS. Word to edit. The voices there aren't the current generation of voices, as far as I can see. They are above, say the 20 year old voices that Windows has. But they aren't the A.I. synthesized voiced they have now. And BTW, this isn't a free program. They have it on sale periodically twice during the year at least. I know on Black Friday or Cyber Monday and at some date during the year. I don't know if they are going to get better voices. It would be cool if they could because I like the program. However, the program uses whatever voice you have installed so it will use the default windows voice if that is all you want. Answer from ladyAnder on reddit.com
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.
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.
Videos
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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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I had to check it out and oh dear. If you click on Read Aloud and on the bar that appears there is a gear, and you can change the voice to male. It's a little bit better, but not by much. From what I can see, MS. Word doesn't use system voices anymore. I'm going to dig through the settings some more, but I don't see anything. I don't know if you can get any more voiced for MS. Word. I would be kind of cool if you could. Currently, I use TextAloud as my TTS program, so I don't have to be stuck with MS. Word to edit. The voices there aren't the current generation of voices, as far as I can see. They are above, say the 20 year old voices that Windows has. But they aren't the A.I. synthesized voiced they have now. And BTW, this isn't a free program. They have it on sale periodically twice during the year at least. I know on Black Friday or Cyber Monday and at some date during the year. I don't know if they are going to get better voices. It would be cool if they could because I like the program. However, the program uses whatever voice you have installed so it will use the default windows voice if that is all you want.
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If you have an Apple device, Spoken Content works a dream.
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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.
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.
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.
Super User
superuser.com › questions › 1856792 › read-aloud-in-microsoft-word-does-not-launch
Read Aloud in Microsoft Word does not launch - Super User
With a document open, using Windows Narrator does do TTS. In word, using the 'Speak' command does TTS the highlighted word or passage. Read Aloud works in OUtlook, as well as in Word when Word is run in safe mode.
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.
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.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/writers › the “read aloud” feature in microsoft word.
r/writers on Reddit: The “Read Aloud” Feature in Microsoft Word.
November 17, 2024 -
Mods, if this is not allowed, please feel free to remove it.
I always looked down on the “Read Aloud” feature in Word doc. because it is robotic - bla bla bla. But I also wanted my mum to be a part of my journey and she is not a reader. However, she loves audiobooks. I decided to use the “R.A” feature so she could listen and boy was I grateful! It helped me hear my words being read and with that I started editing my book! I missed SO MANY COMMAS! And you don’t realize something so little until you hear the words read back to you. I just want to say it’s a great editing tool. With that, I’ll step down from my soapbox.
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Yes, that Read Aloud is one step into my editing process and I always find little thing. Sometimes, the is not mispelled, so it's not picked up by the spellcheckers, but it is misused or repetive. The Read Aloud is great for another level of scrutinity to the work.
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Sometimes, I'm overly critical of my writing, and I'm way too hard on myself, which makes me feel really discouraged. When I start to feel like that, I use the R.A. feature so I can hear what I've written and how good or bad it is. Then my mind goes, "Wow! This is so good! I really wrote that!" and I start to feel better. I'm glad I found it.
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.
Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › office › use-immersive-reader-in-word-a857949f-c91e-4c97-977c-a4efcaf9b3c1
Use Immersive Reader in Word - Microsoft Support
Tip: Get directly to Read Aloud by right clicking anywhere in your document and selecting Read Aloud.
Ten Forums
tenforums.com › microsoft-office-365 › 192047-where-read-aloud-voices-micorsoft-word.html
Where are Read Aloud voices for Micorsoft Word? - Windows 10 Help Forums
Want to add Voices for read aloud documents in Sound & Audio I'm trying to listen to lengthy articles converted to audio, not necessarily web pages. (Word, Text, etc.) Windows 10 has the voices loaded named David and Zira. When I view the Read Aloud voice options in Edge it offers Aria, Guy, Jenny.
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How to Use Read Aloud in Microsoft Word (Listen to Text) - YouTube
Learn how to use Read Aloud in Microsoft Word to listen to your text. We will also look at how to change the reading speed and the voice. Plus, learn how to ...
Published January 6, 2025
Windows Forum
windowsforum.com › forums › windows forums › windows help and support
Windows 10 - How can I use Read Aloud in one Word doc and continue working in another Word doc? | Windows Forum
November 12, 2022 - Use Accessibility Options: - Since Read Aloud is part of the Accessibility tools in Word, you might want to explore other accessibility options or third-party text-to-speech software designed to read text aloud. These tools can provide more flexibility and may not be limited by the same focus issues as Read Aloud in Word.
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.
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)
August 11, 2023 - 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.
YouTube
youtube.com › mdtechvideos
Microsoft Word - How to Have Word Read Your Text Aloud (Text To Speech) - YouTube
Microsoft Word - How to Have Word Read Your Text Aloud (Text To Speech)Speak is a built-in feature of Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and OneNote. You can use Spe...
Published July 14, 2022 Views 66K
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.