Google Slides can dictate speaker notes using a supported desktop browser and microphone. This is useful for drafting a spoken explanation in a natural voice. The feature types into notes; it is not a command to place live narration into every text box on the slide.
Check browser and microphone
Google’s current guidance supports the latest Chrome, Edge, and Safari versions for voice typing. Confirm that the microphone works and that the intended browser has appropriate access. An organization may disable the feature through its administrator.
The browser controls the speech-to-text service and how speech is processed before sending text to Slides. Consider that behavior when deciding whether sensitive material is appropriate for dictation.
Start dictating notes
On a computer, open the presentation and choose Tools > Dictate speaker notes. The notes area and microphone control appear. Click the microphone when ready, speak clearly at a normal pace, and click it again when finished.
Use a short test before dictating a long section. Check the selected language and actual recognition result rather than assuming that similar accents or technical terms will be transcribed identically.
Review the written explanation
Correct names, figures, punctuation, and terms against the intended wording. Google’s help distinguishes voice typing from voice editing commands and says those commands are unavailable in Slides speaker notes. Use normal text editing for corrections. Rehearse the resulting notes with the slide to verify that the explanation remains accurate and concise; a successful transcription is still a draft that requires editorial checking.
References
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 3, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.