Prefer dictating your text instead of typing or using a stylus? In this article, we’ll cover your device's built-in voice dictation options you have available on desktop, tablet and mobile.
Enable voice dictation on Mac
With the built-in keyboard dictation on Mac, you can dictate text anywhere you can normally type it — including Cliniko! To get started, you'll need to enable keyboard dictation within your settings.
Please note that dictated text is sent to Apple servers in order to process your requests. More information on Apple Dictation & Privacy Policy.
Turn on keyboard dictation on Mac
On your Mac, click the Apple icon within your menu and select System Preferences then head to Keyboard → Dictation.
Within the Dictation section, select On. If a prompt appears, click Enable Dictation. If you are asked to improve Siri and Dictation, select Not Now (this will keep your audio recordings private).
To dictate in another language, select the language and dialect in the Language drop-down.
Finally, select your preferred keyboard shortcut to activate voice dictation for your Mac. For example you can select "Press Control Key Twice" or create a custom shortcut.
Using the dictation keyboard on Mac
Now that you've enabled keyboard dictation you can now use your voice instead of typing throughout Cliniko. You can even use a variety of commands for punctuation, formatting, and capitalization, and symbols for math, currency, and emojis!
Start by opening Cliniko within your Mac browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) and click/place your cursor in the text field where you want the dictated text to appear.
From here, press the Microphone key in the row of function keys (if available), use the dictation keyboard shortcut you've set-up, or select Edit → Start Dictation within your Apple menu.
When you’re done dictating, use your dictation keyboard shortcut again, the Return key, or click Done below the Microphone icon.
Enable voice dictation on Windows
Built into Windows 10, Dictation uses speech recognition, so there's nothing you need to download or install on your device to use it. Only requirement is a microphone set up.
Please note that when you use Microsoft's cloud-based speech recognition technologies, Microsoft collects and uses your voice recordings to create a text transcription of the spoken words in the voice data.
Using dictation on your PC
To start dictating, open Cliniko within your browser and select a text field you would type in (for example: a patient Treatment note).
Now, press the Windows logo key + H to open the dictation toolbar. Then start talking. You also have a full list of voice commands at your finger tips you can use! To stop dictating at any time while you're dictating, say Stop dictation.
Using dictation on your Windows tablet
If you’re using a Windows tablet or a touchscreen, open Cliniko within your browser and tap the microphone button on the touch keyboard to start dictating. Tap it again to stop dictation, or say Stop dictation.
Voice dictation on Apple iOS
Depending on your model and iOS version, you can dictate text instead of typing by enabling the dictation feature within your iPhone or iPad settings.
Please note that when Apple On-Device Dictation is enabled, general text Dictation will be processed on your iPhone or iPad. While other requests may require server-based processing on Apple servers. More information on Apple Dictation & Privacy Policy.
Enable dictation on iOS
On your iPhone or iPad go to the Settings App → General → Keyboard.
Under the Dictation section, make sure Enable Dictation is turned on.
Using voice dictation on iOS within Cliniko
Now that voice dictation has been enabled you can start using your voice instead of text throughout Cliniko!
Open Cliniko on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap within any text field to bring up the keyboard (for example a Treatment Note question/field).
Now tap on the Dictation button. It's the microphone icon at the bottom of your keyboard. If you don't see the microphone icon, attempt to enable dictation in your Settings app.
Start speaking. You should notice as you talk, the words will appear and come up as you go. List of punctuation and formatting commands.
Once you are done speaking, tap the keyboard button at the bottom of the screen.
Apple Dictation may not be available in all languages or in all countries or regions.
Voice dictation on Android
As long as your device supports Android 7.0 and up, you can use talk to write via the Google Keyboard app Gboard in most places where you can type with a keyboard.
Please note that other than your searches, Gboard doesn't send anything you type or dictate to Google servers. All other data is stored only on your device which cannot be accessed by Google or by any apps other than Gboard.
Enable and use dictation with Gboard
On your Android mobile phone or tablet, install Gboard. Once Gboard is installed, voice dictation by default is already enabled 🙌!
Open Cliniko within your Android browser and switch to the Gboard keyboard.
Tap within any text field to bring up the keyboard (for example a Treatment Note question/field).
Within your keyboard, touch and hold Microphone
When you see "Speak now," start to say what you want written.
You also have a number of punctuation commands you can use!
The Gboard app is also supported on Apple (including it's talk to write feature) but we recommend using the Apple dictation feature so you don't have to constantly switch keyboards when you need to use Gboard's dictation.
Using Dragon Dictation
A number of clinics use Dragon Medical One for their dictation & speech recognition software. We're not sponsored but Dragon Medical One is a secure, cloud‑based speech platform for physicians and other clinicians.
Those who use certain versions of Dragon Medical, can also use the Dragon Medical Web Extension for Chrome. After installing Dragon's Chrome extension, the range of commands will be increased to include the ability to click links, buttons and other objects by name — including within Cliniko. Here is a video guide to enabling and using the web extension.
If you run into any problems with voice dictation, our support team will be available to help. Just send us a message if anything comes up (click the "chat bubble" in the lower right-hand corner!). 💬