To turn Spanish speech into text on a computer, use Windows voice typing (Windows + H), Word's Dictate button with Spanish as the spoken language, Dictation on a Mac or Voice typing in Google Docs. All four are free with the software you already have. For legal Spanish, long documents or English text from Spanish speech, a dedicated dictation app works better.
The four free options at a glance
Windows, Word, macOS and Google Docs all recognise Spanish, with different variants and requirements. According to their official help pages, checked on 29 October 2026:
| How to start | Spanish variants | What it needs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows voice typing | Windows + H | Spanish (Mexico) and Spanish (Spain) | Spanish as the input language and an internet connection |
| Dictate in Word | Home, Dictate (Option + F1 on a Mac) | Spanish (Spain) and Spanish (Mexico) | A Microsoft 365 subscription |
| Dictation on a Mac | The Dictation shortcut or the Microphone key | Spanish (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Spain and United States) | Turning it on in System Settings, Keyboard |
| Voice typing in Google Docs | Tools, Voice typing | Spanish and 20 regional variants | Chrome, Edge or Safari |
Each one only works where it lives: Word's Dictate only types in Word, and Google Docs voice typing only in Google Docs. Windows voice typing and Mac Dictation work in any program.
Windows: voice typing in Spanish
Windows voice typing writes in the language of your current input method, so the first step is to add Spanish as a keyboard language. Microsoft lists two variants, Spanish (Mexico) and Spanish (Spain).
- Go to Settings, Time & language, Language & region and add Spanish if it isn't there.
- Switch the input language to Spanish with Windows + Spacebar or the language switcher on the taskbar.
- Put the cursor where you want to write and press Windows + H.
Voice typing can add punctuation automatically if you turn that setting on, and you can also say punctuation marks by name. It uses online speech recognition, so it needs an internet connection.
Word: Dictate in Spanish
Word's Dictate button recognises Spanish (Spain) and Spanish (Mexico), and it is only available to Microsoft 365 subscribers. By default it uses the language of your document.
- Open a document and go to Home, Dictate. On a Mac you can also press Option + F1.
- Click the gear icon in the dictation toolbar and choose Spanish under Spoken language.
- Start speaking. Click the microphone again to stop.
Mac: Dictation in Spanish
macOS Dictation works in any app once you turn it on and add Spanish. Apple lists five Spanish variants for Dictation: Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Spain and the United States.
- Open System Settings, Keyboard and turn on Dictation.
- Next to Languages, click Edit and select the Spanish you speak.
- Start Dictation with its shortcut (you can choose it in the same settings) or the Microphone key.
While you dictate, you can switch language by clicking the language indicator next to the cursor or pressing the Globe key, if your keyboard has one.
Google Docs: voice typing in Spanish
Google Docs voice typing recognises generic Spanish and 20 regional variants, from Argentina to Venezuela, and it works in Chrome, Edge and Safari. Open a document, go to Tools, Voice typing, choose the Spanish variant in the menu above the microphone and click the microphone to start. Google notes that its editing voice commands only work in English.
Where the free tools fall short
The free tools are good enough for short emails and notes. They struggle in four situations that are common in legal work:
- Names and legal vocabulary. Client names, company names, acronyms and terms of art are where general dictation fails most, and none of these tools lets you teach it a legal glossary.
- Long documents. Saying punctuation out loud and fixing every misheard word adds up over a ten-page document.
- Switching programs. Word's and Google's dictation stay inside their own app.
- English output. All four write in the language you speak. If you think in Spanish but have to deliver in English, you still have to translate.
With ablalo, you hold Alt + Space (Option + Space on a Mac), speak Spanish and the text appears wherever your cursor is, in any program, with punctuation added and filler words removed. It recognises more than 30,000 Spanish legal terms and learns your clients' names. Your voice is transcribed on your own computer, and with «Always translate to English» turned on, what you say in Spanish comes out in English. The app's interface can be set to English.
Speak Spanish, get English
Getting English text from Spanish speech takes two steps with the free tools: dictate in Spanish, then run the text through a translation tool. That works for a short email, but it doubles the review on anything longer, because you check the dictation and then the translation.
A dictation app that translates as you speak removes the middle step. It is useful for bilingual lawyers who explain a matter more naturally in Spanish but have to write the memo in English. The result is still a draft: read it before it goes to a client or a court, as you would any text you didn't type yourself.
In short
To turn Spanish speech into text for free, use Windows voice typing (Windows + H) with Spanish as the input language, Word's Dictate with Spanish as the spoken language, Mac Dictation with Spanish added, or Google Docs voice typing. For legal vocabulary, long documents, dictation in any program or English text from Spanish speech, a dedicated Spanish dictation app such as ablalo saves the most time.
Sources: Microsoft, Use voice typing to talk instead of type on your PC and Dictate your documents in Word; Apple, Dictate messages and documents on Mac and macOS Feature Availability; Google, Type and edit with your voice. Checked on 29 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can Word dictate in Spanish?
Yes. Word's Dictate recognises Spanish (Spain) and Spanish (Mexico). Choose it under Spoken language in the dictation settings. Dictate is only available with a Microsoft 365 subscription.
How do I change voice typing to Spanish in Windows?
Add Spanish in Settings, Time & language, Language & region, switch the input language to Spanish with Windows + Spacebar and press Windows + H. Voice typing writes in the current input language.
How do I dictate in Spanish on a Mac?
Turn on Dictation in System Settings, Keyboard, click Edit next to Languages and add the Spanish you speak. Then start Dictation with its shortcut or the Microphone key.
Can I dictate in Spanish and get English text?
Not with the built-in tools, which write in the language you speak. A dictation app with translation, such as ablalo with «Always translate to English», turns spoken Spanish into English text.
Is Spanish speech to text free?
Windows voice typing, Mac Dictation and Google Docs voice typing are free. Word's Dictate needs a Microsoft 365 subscription. Dedicated dictation apps for legal work are usually paid, often with a free trial.