If you're looking for a way to get the most out of text to speech in Excel, you've come to the right place. We'll show you how to use the range of cells feature and some shortcuts to maximize your productivity.

Understanding text to speech Excel capabilities

Text to speech is a technology that converts text into natural-sounding speech. It can be used to read text from documents, websites, emails, and other electronic messages.

By using text to speech, you can have your computer read text aloud to you so that you can listen while you work. This can be a great time saver, especially if you have a lot of text to read through.

This technology can also be used in Microsoft Office applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint, and MS Excel which is a great way to get your work done faster since these have a built-in text-to-speech feature that can be used to read aloud cells in a presentation or a worksheet. This can be helpful if you want to proofread data or share information with others. 

You can adjust the speed at which the text is read aloud by going to the “Text to Speech” menu and selecting the ” Voice Speed” option. If you want the text to be read aloud more slowly, select a lower speed. If you want the text to be read aloud more quickly, select a higher speed.

How to use text-to-speech Excel

To use the text-to-speech feature to read Excel text, open up an Excel spreadsheet and select the cells you want to have read aloud. Then, go to the ribbon and click the Speak Cells command. A pop-up window will appear where you can select whether you want Excel to read the cells by row or by column. Once you've made your selection, click 'OK' and Excel will begin to read aloud.

To add a button that will speak the contents of a cell, first select the cell. Then go to Insert > Shapes and choose the shape you want for your button. After you add button, right-click it and choose Add Text. In the box that appears, type = speak(cell("contents",A1)). This will make the button speak the contents of cell A1. You can change the cell reference to any cell you want.

In short, to use the text-to-speech feature in Excel, right-click on the cell you want to hear spoken aloud. A dialog box will appear; press enter. The text-to-speech feature will then read aloud for you. 

Maximizing text-to-speech Excel

If you're looking for a way to get the most out of text to speech in Excel, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll show you how to use the range of cells feature and some shortcuts to maximize your productivity.

The range of cells refers to the entire column or row that contains your data. To select a range of cells, simply click on the first cell in the range and then drag your mouse to the last cell in the range. You can also hold down the Shift key while you click on the last cell in the range.

Once you've selected the range of cells, you can use the following shortcuts to quickly convert your text to speech:

-Ctrl+A: Selects all the text in the range of cells.

-Ctrl+B: Begins reading from the current cell.

-Ctrl+C: Pauses reading.

-Ctrl+D: Resumes reading from the last paused cell.

-Ctrl+E: Stop speaking cells.

Quick access toolbar on Excel

The speech feature in Excel can also be used to choose commands and customize the quick access toolbar. This can be done by selecting the speech feature in the Excel options menu.

Once you have selected the speech feature, you can choose which speech commands you would like to use and customize the quick access toolbar to include your most used commands. You can also adjust the reading speed and volume from the options menu. This will help you maximize your productivity when using Excel.

Speak cells text-to-speech

Excel provides a built-in text-to-speech feature that can read aloud your cells’ contents. This is useful for proofreading or for accessibility purposes. To enable text to speech in Excel, follow these steps:

1. Open the Excel file that you want to have read aloud.

2. Click on the "File" tab at the top of the screen.

3. Select "Options" from the drop-down menu.

4. Click on "Proofing" in the left column of options.

5. Scroll down to the "When correcting spelling and grammar in Word" section and check the box next to "Read aloud while correcting spelling and grammar."

6. Click "OK" to save your changes.

Now, when you proofread your Excel document, the text-to-speech feature will read aloud any errors that it finds. You can also use this feature to have Excel read-aloud cell contents that you select. Simply highlight the cells that you want to be read, then click on the "Speak Cells" button on the Ribbon.

Practical applications of text-to-speech in Excel

Now that you have set up and configured text-to-speech, let's explore some practical applications where this feature can prove invaluable.

Text-to-speech technology in Excel, often referred to as "excel speak," offers a range of benefits that go beyond the basic functionality of the software. By incorporating this feature into your data analysis workflow, you can enhance your productivity and improve the accessibility of your spreadsheets.

Using text-to-speech for data review

Data review is a critical step in any analysis. Often, we tend to familiarize ourselves with certain patterns and overlook anomalies. However, by leveraging the power of text-to-speech, especially the "speak cells in" and "speak cells on enter" functionalities, you can overcome this limitation and gain a fresh perspective on your data.

Imagine you are analyzing a large dataset with thousands of rows and columns. It's easy to miss small errors or inconsistencies when visually scanning through the data.

However, by hearing the content aloud using the "speak text" feature, you can identify inconsistencies or outliers more easily. This method enhances your ability to detect errors and ensures data integrity before making any decisions or presenting findings.

Furthermore, converting "excel to text" through text-to-speech can be particularly useful when dealing with complex or technical data. By listening to the information, you can better understand the context and relationships between different variables, leading to more accurate analysis and insights.

Leveraging text-to-speech for accessibility

Accessibility is a crucial aspect of any software or technology. Inclusivity and equal access to information are fundamental principles that drive innovation and progress. Text-to-speech in Excel opens up possibilities for individuals with visual impairments or reading difficulties, allowing them to interact with spreadsheet data efficiently.

By enabling this feature, you contribute to an inclusive work environment that values and supports diverse needs. People with visual impairments can benefit from the ability to listen to the content of the spreadsheet, enabling them to independently navigate and analyze data.

Similarly, individuals with reading difficulties, such as dyslexia, can leverage text-to-speech to overcome challenges and comprehend the information more effectively.

Moreover, text-to-speech can also be beneficial for individuals who prefer auditory learning. By listening to the data, they can absorb information more easily and retain it for longer periods.

Overall, the integration of text-to-speech in Excel not only enhances the functionality of the software but also promotes inclusivity and accessibility. By embracing this feature, you empower individuals with diverse needs to fully engage with spreadsheet data and participate in data-driven decision-making processes.

Microsoft Excel with TTS in the classroom

Microsoft Excel with TTS in the Classroom can be a great way to provide information to students in an accessible format. By using TTS, Excel can read aloud text within cells, making it possible for students who are blind or have low vision to access information that would otherwise be inaccessible. In addition, TTS can be used to proofread documents or to provide auditory feedback for data entry.

Some pro-Excel tips, simply select the cell or range of cells that you want Excel to read aloud. Then, go to the "Speak" button on the ribbon and click it. A drop-down menu will appear with a list of options for how you want Excel to read the selected text. Choose the desired option and Excel will begin reading aloud immediately.

You can also adjust the reading speed and pitch of the voice by clicking on the “Voice” button on the ribbon. This will open a dialog box where you can select from a variety of different voices and adjust speech options.

TTS can be a great tool for students who struggle with reading or who need extra help comprehending text. It can also be used as an accommodation for students with certain learning disabilities. When using TTS in Excel, be sure to experiment with the different options to find the ones that work best for you and your students.

How resourceful Speechify is in the classroom

Many people have found Speechify to be an invaluable tool in the classroom. It has helped a lot of students with reading and listening comprehension, and it has also made it easier for teachers or professors to create audio versions of their lectures or documents.

Overall, Speechify is a great tool for students who need assistance with reading or who want to increase their listening comprehension. The app can also be used by professionals who need to convert text to speech for presentations or other purposes.

Speechify - a top choice for TTS on Excel

If you’re looking for a way to have your Excel spreadsheet read aloud to you, there’s good news – Speechify can help. The app offers speech functionality that can be used with Excel, meaning that you can have your worksheets read aloud with ease.

There are a few different ways that you can use Speechify with Excel and please check the simple tutorials here:

1. The first is through Speechify add-in, which can be installed directly into Excel and used to convert cells or entire worksheets into speech. This is a great option if you need to have your spreadsheet read aloud on a regular basis, as it will allow you to quickly and easily convert it to speech with just a few clicks.
2. Another option is to use Speechify online converter, which can be found at speechify.io/convert. This converter can be used to convert any Excel spreadsheet into a format that can be read aloud by our text-to-speech engine. Simply upload your file and choose the 'Excel' option on the left-hand side, then click 'Convert'. Your file will be processed and you'll be able to download the audio version to listen to at your leisure.

So there you have it - two ways to convert your Excel spreadsheet into speech using Speechify. Whether you need to listen to your data on a regular basis or just want an easy way to get it into another format.

FAQs

​​How do I use text to speech in Excel?

To use text-to-speech in Excel, you need to follow these steps:

1. Find the Quick Access toolbar, and next to it, click Customize Quick Access Toolbar, and select More Commands
2. Select All Commands from the Choose Commands from List
3. Scroll down and find the Speak Cells command. Choose Add. Do the same for the Stop Speaking command.
4. Click OK

Can I adjust the voice or speed of the TTS in Excel?

Yes, the voice and speed of the TTS feature in Excel are typically controlled by your computer's system settings. On Windows, for instance, you can go to the Control Panel, select “Ease of Access,” and then choose “Speech Recognition.” From there, you can adjust the voice settings. On Mac, these settings are found under "System Preferences" and then "Accessibility."

Is the TTS feature available in all versions of Excel?

The TTS feature is available in most recent versions of Excel, including Excel for Office 365, Excel 2019, and Excel 2016. However, the availability and exact steps to access the feature might vary depending on your version and platform. Always refer to the official documentation or help resources for your specific version of Excel.