<![CDATA[Viva Voce speech recognition solutions - Blog]]>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:28:57 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Navigating in Outlook]]>Wed, 02 Nov 2022 22:23:23 GMThttp://www.vivavocesrs.com/blog/navigating-in-outlookTo move between the different functions in Microsoft Outlook (ie to navigate between the icons below, which you will see at the bottom left of the Outlook screen), say:
  • "Mail"
  • "Calendar"
  • "People" (if that doesn't work try "Contacts")
  • "Tasks"
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]]><![CDATA[Reminders re opening & closing Dragon]]>Thu, 04 Aug 2022 23:53:46 GMThttp://www.vivavocesrs.com/blog/reminders-re-opening-closing-dragonA reminder of the importance of opening Dragon first, before other applications. This is particularly important for Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook , Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and web browsers, to ensure that the add-ins and extensions are loaded.
It is also important to close Dragon before shutting down your computer. Say "Exit Dragon". If Dragon is open when you shut down, there is a risk of damage to your user profile.

While on the subject of shutting down your computer, it's important to do a proper shutdown each day and not just log out of windows, or close the lid. RAM is flushed when your computer is shutdown or restarted (this doesn't happen if you log out of windows), meaning more RAM available for Dragon. If your computer is not very high spec, you could consider a restart at lunchtime - but don't forget to close Dragon first. 
]]><![CDATA[Editing the properties of words & phrases in the Vocabulary]]>Thu, 04 Aug 2022 23:14:28 GMThttp://www.vivavocesrs.com/blog/editing-the-properties-of-words-phrases-in-the-vocabulary​As well as adding words and phrases to the vocabulary, you can edit their properties.
For example with the phrase 'Training Session 1', I would prefer Dragon to write 1 as a numeral and not as the word ‘one’. 
The first step is to add the word or phrase to the vocabulary if it’s not already there. Say “edit vocabulary”. 
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Select the word or phrase and click or say "Properties"
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Editing the properties of words and phrases that are associated with numbers will significantly reduce the amount of editing/correcting you need to do when dictating text.
However you might find that Dragon continues to have problems with numbers 2 & 4. I think what is happening here is that Dragon often mistakes 1 and 2 for the common words 'to' and 'for', and is not even registering that you are dictating numbers. Notwithstanding this confusion between 2 and to, and 4 and for, changing the properties does reduce the amount of editing you need to do. 
The other option is to say “Training Session numeral 2” when dictating.
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Note that you can also change the properties of preceding numbers, as well as preceding and following spaces, and the capitalisation of the following word. 
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]]><![CDATA[Useful Windows Key shortcuts]]>Sun, 17 Jul 2022 22:43:25 GMThttp://www.vivavocesrs.com/blog/useful-windows-key-shortcutsThere are some useful windows key shortcuts that can be verbalised:
  • "Press Windows L" (Lock computer)
  • "Press Windows M" (Minimise all windows)
  • "Press Windows shift M" (Restore minimised windows)
  • "Press Windows E" (Open windows/file Explorer)
  • "Press Windows Right / Left" (Split the screen)
  • "Press Windows shift right/left" (move the active window to another screen)
  • "Press Windows key" (Open start menu)
  • "Press Windows S" (move closer to the Windows search field)
]]><![CDATA[How to force Dragon to recognise what you say as text, rather than a command]]>Wed, 11 May 2022 00:43:50 GMThttp://www.vivavocesrs.com/blog/how-to-force-dragon-to-recognise-what-you-say-as-text-rather-than-a-commandDragon will sometimes recognise what you say as a command, when you want text. There is a high risk of this happening when you use common command terms such as "select", "correct", "send" (in an email) etc.
Options for working around this conundrum:
  • Dictate your text without pausing. Dragon will only interpret what you say as a command if you pause before and after. Let's say for example you are dictating text in an email and you use the word 'send'. If you pause before and after, Dragon will interpret this as a command. If however you say "Here are the documents you asked me to send" without pausing, Dragon will write this as text.
  • Nominate the capitalisation. By doing this you are signalling to Dragon that you want text and not a command. For example you could say "here are the documents you asked me to no caps send". Other options — depending on your preferred capitalisation are "Cap send" (for Title Case) and "ALL CAPS send" (for upper case). Dragon will not interpret what you say as a command if you verbalise the capitalisation.
  • In the case of emails you could also consider typing the word 'send' by hand. Some Dragon users wait until they have finished dictating the text in the body field of a new email before addressing the email. This will prevent the email from sending prematurely if you accidentally say the word "send" on its own, without pausing.
]]><![CDATA[Using Dragon in web browsers]]>Tue, 19 Apr 2022 00:56:56 GMThttp://www.vivavocesrs.com/blog/using-dragon-in-web-browsersOnce you have installed the Dragon web extension in your browser (Microsoft Edge, Chrome or Mozilla), You should be able to dictate in text fields and a range of commands will be available. For a list of commands, say "Give me Help" > Use the web. Although there is no specific list of commands available for Edge, Edge users can refer to the list of commands for Internet Explorer.
Note that Dragon's functionality will vary from one website to another, depending on the degree to which the website complies with W3C accessibility guidelines.
]]><![CDATA[Using Dragon in Microsoft Edge]]>Tue, 19 Apr 2022 00:21:22 GMThttp://www.vivavocesrs.com/blog/using-dragon-in-microsoft-edgeIf using Dragon in Microsoft Edge, it is important to load the Dragon Web Extension. Note that the web extension for Edge is only supported by the latest version of Dragon Group, which is V15.7.1.
If you don't have the latest version of Dragon Group, or you have Dragon Professional Individual*, load the Dragon web extension for Chrome (it can be loaded in Edge).
To check which extensions are loaded in Edge :
  1. Click the three dots in the top-right hand corner
  2. Click Extensions > Manage extensions
* To check which edition and version of Dragon you have, click on the Help menu (in Dragon Group click on the ? to the right of the Dragon Bar) > about Dragon
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To load the Dragon web extension for Chrome in Edge (for those with Dragon Professional Individual or versions of Dragon Group earlier than V15.7.1):
  1. Click the three dots in the top-right hand corner of Edge
  2. Click Extensions > Manage extensions
  3. In the bottom left-hand corner, turn on the switch that says, Allow extensions from other stores
  4. Click Allow to confirm
  5. Click Chrome Web Store and search for the Dragon web extension for Chrome
  6. Follow the prompts from here to install the Dragon web extension for Chrome in Edge
Those working in large organisations might need to request their IT Helpdesk to load the extension if admin access is required.
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]]><![CDATA[Dictation Box]]>Mon, 11 Apr 2022 01:32:01 GMThttp://www.vivavocesrs.com/blog/dictation-boxIf you are not able to dictate in a text field, say "Show dictation box". Dictate your text in the box, then say "Transfer". The text will be pasted to wherever the cursor was when you opened the box.
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The dictation box can also be useful in text fields where you are able to dictate, but perhaps you don't have full functionality. For example you might not be able to format or correct text. You will be able to do these functions by voice in the dictation box.
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]]><![CDATA[How to switch to the previous window]]>Tue, 15 Mar 2022 22:36:24 GMThttp://www.vivavocesrs.com/blog/how-to-switch-to-the-previous-windowTo return to the previous window say "Press Alt Tab".
Those who have the Viva Voce macro set will be able to say "Switch back" as an alternative.
For macro writers:
To create a "Switch back" macro, copy the script below into an advanced scripting macro:
SendSystemKeys "{Alt+tab}"
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]]><![CDATA[Dragon Help]]>Tue, 15 Mar 2022 22:34:37 GMThttp://www.vivavocesrs.com/blog/dragon-helpA reminder that you can access more information on Dragon by saying "Give me help".
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