Social Proof

How to listen to text on Google Docs with text to speech

Speechify is the #1 audio reader in the world. Get through books, docs, articles, PDFs, emails - anything you read - faster.

Featured In

forbes logocbs logotime magazine logonew york times logowall street logo
Listen to this article with Speechify!
Speechify

If you are wondering how to listen to text on Google Docs with text to speech, there are a couple of different ways you can approach this problem.

How to listen to text on Google Docs with text to speech

Having the ability to listen to the text you wrote on Google Docs can be a game-changer. It can save you time for review, help you catch proofreading mistakes, and improve the accessibility of your device. To do this, all you need is an app or extension for text to speech in Google Docs.

What is text to speech?

Text to speech (TTS) is a type of tool designed to improve the accessibility of any device by reading any text to you out loud. These voice generators are able to synthesize speech, and the AI voice will read the text to the user. This allows you to listen to content without having to read it with your eyes, or you can follow along with the AI voice as it reads aloud. The initial reason why TTS apps are so popular is because of their helpfulness to many people with reading disabilities or visual impairment. With TTS apps, they will be able to use a device without any problems by listening to any text they need to hear. For people who do not have reading or visual difficulties, TTS apps are still incredibly popular because they can help you multitask and improve overall productivity. TTS readers use a complex combination of deep learning, machine learning, algorithms, and artificial intelligence to create the natural-sounding voices. While the apps use recordings of a real human voice as a basis, the sound you will hear is fully synthesized by the app which will generate the words on the page or screen. Today, almost every device has a TTS tool included in the package, and you will often find it in the accessibility tab in settings. This means there are many options to use text to speech in Google Docs.

Productivity tips for Google Docs

There are a variety ways you can increase productivity while working in Google Docs. The most obvious way is based on the performance. If you are using Google Chrome, the app will work significantly better, which will save you lots of time. Furthermore, Google Chrome supports most add-ons and features Docs has to offer, which means that you will have an easier time implementing the different tools you might want to use, including text to speech. Of course, based on the work you are doing, you might be able to use templates. These are excellent ways to increase productivity and save time since you won’t need to start from scratch for every document you are creating. You can use templates for resumes, presentations, cover letters, and many other types of documents. Something many users don’t know is that you can easily upload files from your device to Google Docs, including both Microsoft Word and PDF files. Once you’ve uploaded them, you can edit them as you please as a Google Doc. When you’re done, you can even re-download the edited document as a Word or PDF file. Moreover, it is also possible to use Google Docs in offline mode, which can be more than useful if you don’t have access to a stable internet connection. Of course, it’s possible to use the offline mode through Google Chrome. The document will update once you have an internet connection, therefore helping you increase your productivity while on the go. To make Google Docs or Google Sheets, you only need to have a Google account (or Gmail).

Accessibility features read aloud

Of course, one of the best accessibility features you will find on Google Docs is the option to hear the text you wrote. Through text to speech tools, you can easily listen to any text file you want. There are a couple of different ways you can use text to speech features in Google Docs. You can head over to the accessibility tab located in the tools section of the menu, and from there, you can enable the screen reader. However, every device offers their own version of a text to speech tool, as well. If you are a Windows user, you can easily open the Narrator function located in Windows settings. Apple users can also take advantage of native TTS features on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. At the same time, there are other and far better programs out there. Many text to speech tools offer a Chrome extension, and they can do a great job of allowing you to turn Google Docs into speech. This is a great way to proofread texts, listen to the content if you are outside, or just focus on the quality and flow of the document.

Is Speechify the right fit for me

One of the most popular text to speech tools you can find today is Speechify. The app allows you to convert any type of text into an audio file, and you can do it in just a couple of clicks. Speechify is available for Chrome, and the extension is flawless. It will work on any webpage you find, making it can a perfect TTS option for Google Docs. The app is also available for iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, and any imaginable mobile device you have. Another reason why Speechify is so popular is its quality. Each voice you choose sounds realistic and lifelike, and you will have a hard time distinguishing it from a real human voice. Furthermore, you can check out different voice settings, adjust speed, accents, languages, and many more features. Naturally, you would want the app to be easy to use, and you should know that Speechify is extremely user-friendly. With the highly intuitive user interface, you won’t need a tutorial or help to navigate the API and convert text to voice. If you are curious to get the most out of Speechify, however, easy-to-follow tutorials are available. Speechify also gives you an option to create an account, and with it, you will be able to sync the reader across all your devices. You can start listening to a Google Doc on your PC and continue where you left off on your iPhone. It’s really that simple. The app also supports iCloud, Dropbox, and Google Drive, so you won’t have any issues sharing files between different devices.

FAQ

How do I get Google Docs to read my text out loud?

You can navigate to the Accessibility settings in the Tools tab, and there, you will find the option to turn on screen reader support. If you enjoy this app, it is always a better option to enable it through a Chrome browser extension since it will work on other pages as well. Speechify also offers a high-quality text to speech app that works on Chrome, as well as on other operating systems and devices, which can read your Google Docs text out loud in customizable and natural-sounding voices.

Can you do audio to text on Google Docs?

Yes! Google Docs features a speech recognition option. You can navigate your cursor to Tools and select the Voice typing option, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+S. This will open the toolbar where you will be able to adjust the settings and start using it. Needless to say, you will need to adjust permissions and allow Google Docs to access your microphone for it to register formatting commands, speak selection, and voice. Audio to text option is perfect for dictation and anyone who wants to avoid typing.

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman

Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.