This article is for people who want to control their PC and author text using their voice with Windows. This article is part of the Accessibility support for Windows content set where you can find more information on Windows accessibility features. For general help, visit Microsoft Support home.

When you use voice access to dictate text, you can use voice commands to move the cursor to a specific location in your document or text box. You can move the cursor by a certain number of words, lines, or paragraphs, or move it before or after a specific piece of text. For a list of voice access commands, go to Voice access command list.

Voice access is a feature in Windows 11 that enables everyone to control their PC and author text using only their voice and without an internet connection. For example, you can open and switch between apps, browse the web, and read and author email using your voice. For more information, go to Use voice access to control your PC & author text with your voice.

Voice access is available in Windows 11, version 22H2 and later. For more information on Windows 11 22H2 new features, and how to get the update, see What's new in recent Windows updates. Not sure which version of Windows you have? See: Find Windows version.

To do this

Say this

Example

Insert a new line and place the cursor at the beginning of the new line.

"New line"

Insert a new paragraph and place the cursor at the beginning of the new paragraph.

"New paragraph"

Place the cursor before or after a specific piece of text.

"Move before <text>" or "Move after <text>"

"Move before hello world"

Place the cursor at the beginning or end of a text box or document.

"Go to top," "Go to bottom," or "Go to beginning of document"

Place the cursor at the beginning or end of a word, line, or paragraph.

"Go to beginning of <word, line, or paragraph>" or "Go to end of <word, line, or paragraph>"

"Go to beginning of word," "Go to beginning of line," "Go to end of paragraph"

Move the cursor in a specific direction.

"Move <direction> <number of times>"

"Move up two times," "Move left four times," "Move right four times"

Move the cursor in a specific direction by count of lines or paragraphs.

"Move <direction> <number of lines or paragraphs>"

"Move down three lines," "Move up two paragraphs"

When you're moving the cursor relative to a specific piece of text and there are multiple occurrences of that text, voice access shows numbered labels on all matches. You can then select which specific instance you want to work with.

For example, to move the cursor before the word "voice" at the beginning of the second line, say "Move before voice," and then say "Click two."

A Word document showing the voice access command to place the focus before the word "voice." 

Note: For navigating content that can't be edited such as a PDF file, you can use the navigation commands to move to the top or bottom of the document. To move the focus to a specific section, use the scrolling commands. For more info, refer to the section "Scroll through a window" in Use voice to work with windows and apps.

See also

Edit text with voice

Use voice to work with windows and apps

Use the keyboard with voice

Use voice to interact with items on the screen

Use the mouse with voice

Dictate text with voice

Voice access Frequently Asked Questions

Technical support for customers with disabilities

Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.

If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.

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