Unable to change Speak command Voice in MS Word 2016

Happy Teacher_63 5 Reputation points
2024-06-12T14:08:37.4+00:00

I am using MS Word 2016 Professional Plus and Windows 10. I added the Speak command to the Quick Access Toolbar. I am unable to change the voice. I tried changing it in the Windows 10 Speech Settings using the Voices drop down field, but it did not work. I tried closing out of MS Word and then opened it to see if that was the issue, but it still did not change the voice. Would you please let me know how to change the Speak Voice in MS Word 2016?

Also, I do not have Read Aloud on the Review tab nor is it available in All commands.

thank you

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A family of Microsoft word processing software products for creating web, email, and print documents.
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  1. Emi Zhang-MSFT 23,271 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2024-06-13T02:38:20.73+00:00

    Hi,

    For Word 2016 I suggest you follow these steps of kbonds_114 from this link:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/how-to-change-office-2016-text-to-speech-settings/4dcb06c6-5e39-4b42-af1b-4664d196a9cd

    STEPS:

    1.) Press the windows button on your PC to navigate back to the start screen.

    2.) Type in the search bar "tts"

    3.) You will most likely have options of apps to install pop up underneath, but ignore it and just hit enter/search.

    4.) It will show results for "tts." IGNORE all the websites, app suggestions, and pictures that may pop up.

    5.) Look at the left of your screen, and you should have 2 things listed (or I did). One is "use audio description for video" and the other is "change text to speech settings"

    6.) CLICK ON "change text to speech settings" (it might have a little microphone emoji beside it)

    7.) After clicking on it, a "Speech properties" window should pop up.  

    8.) There is a drop down list with the 3 voice options to choose from:

           Microsoft David (what my default was)

           Microsoft Hazel

           Microsoft Zira (my personal favorite)

    9.) Once you have selected a voice option, there is a slider bar to change the speed of the voice. 

    10.) Press the Apply button after you are finished selecting the voice and speed you want.

    11.) Press OK, and exit the "speech properties" window.

    12.) The voice you chose should work for Microsoft Word 2016 now.

    Hope the information will help you.

    If the response is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

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  2. Happy Teacher_63 5 Reputation points
    2024-06-13T13:14:59.7133333+00:00

    The following steps worked for me:

    1. Type Control Panel in the Search bar and then click to open it
    2. Click Speech Recognition
    3. Click Text to Speech on the left pane
    4. The Speech Properties dialog box opens with the Text to Speech tab selected:
    5. Click the drop down arrow next to Voice selection
    6. Choose Microsoft David Desktop for a male voice or Microsoft Zira Desktop for a female voice.
    7. Use the slider under Voice speed to adjust the pace (slow, normal, or fast) of the reader
    8. Click the Preview Voice button to listen to each voice, then make your selection.
    9. Click OK

    This will update MS Word 2016. Restart is not necessary.