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Dictate text while using an Apple external keyboard on iPad

On iPad, you can dictate text instead of typing it.

Make sure Enable Dictation is turned on in Settings  > General > Keyboard.

Note: Dictation may not be available in all languages or in all countries or regions, and features may vary. Cellular data charges may apply. See View or change cellular data settings on iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular models).

Dictate text

  1. Tap the Keyboard Shortcut button in the Shortcuts bar (at the bottom of the screen), tap the Dictation button, then speak.

  2. When you finish, tap the Keyboard button at the bottom of the screen.

Add punctuation or format text

While dictating text, say the punctuation or formatting.

For example, “Dear Mary comma the check is in the mail exclamation mark” becomes “Dear Mary, the check is in the mail!” Punctuation and formatting commands include the following:

  • period

  • comma

  • exclamation point

  • question mark

  • dollar sign

  • open parenthesis … close parenthesis

  • quote … end quote

  • new paragraph

  • new line

  • colon

  • semicolon

  • cap—to capitalize the next word

  • caps on … caps off—to capitalize the first character of each word

  • all caps—to make the next word all uppercase

  • all caps on … all caps off—to make the enclosed words all uppercase

  • no caps on … no caps off—to make the enclosed words all lowercase

  • no space—to eliminate the space between two words (not available for all languages)

  • no space on … no space off—to run a series of words together (not available for all languages)

  • smiley—to insert :-)

  • frowny—to insert :-(

  • winky—to insert ;-)

  • hash tag

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