Can I use dictation with CARET Legal?

While CARET Legal is an all-in-one SaaS platform, we are dictation-friendly. If you use a microphone-enabled device, you can use dictation, also known as 'Talk-To-Text', in many of CARET Legal's text spaces. Activating your microphone will vary by device. Below are a few helpful tips to launch dictation, as well as a list of places where dictation works in CARET Legal.

If you are using a Windows Device:

To use Voice Typing (Microsoft's built-in dictation):

1. Open a text field, such as a document or a search bar.
2. Press the Windows key + H on your keyboard.
3. Click the microphone icon that appears to start listening and speaking.
4. Say commands for punctuation (e.g., "full stop") or formatting (e.g., "new line").
5. To stop listening, click the microphone icon again or say "stop listening". 

To check or enable your microphone in Windows:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to System > Sound.
3. In the "Input" section, select your microphone to ensure it's connected and chosen as the input device.
4. Alternatively, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
5. Ensure that Microphone access is toggled on and that the specific app you want to use has permission. 

If the microphone is not showing up:

1. You may need to enable it from the Device Manager by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Find the microphone under Audio inputs and outputs, right-click it, and select Enable device.
3. You can also right-click in the Sound settings > Recording tab (in the classic Control Panel) and select to show disabled devices, then enable your microphone. 

 

 

If you are using a Mac Device:

1. Enable Dictation in System Settings

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
2. Select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
3. Click Keyboard in the sidebar.
4. Find and click on Dictation.
5. Toggle the switch to On to enable the feature.
6. You may see options to choose a microphone and a shortcut to start dictation.

2. Start Dictation in an Application

1. Open the document, email, or any text field where you want to dictate.
2. Place the insertion point where you want your text to appear.
3. Press the assigned shortcut key or choose the option to start dictation. This could be the Microphone key, a custom shortcut like Option-Z, or by selecting Edit > Start Dictation from the menu bar.
4. When the microphone icon appears, begin speaking.
5. To add punctuation, say its name, like "comma" or "exclamation mark".
6. Click Done below the microphone or press the shortcut again to stop dictation.

 

If you are using a Mobile Device:

 

If you are on a mobile phone or tablet, your QWERTY keyboard likely includes a microphone key to trigger dictation. The appearance and location of the microphone key will vary by device.

 

Alternatively, you can use browser extension products such as Voice In.

Where can I use dictation in CARET Legal?

To begin using dictation in CARET Legal, make sure your cursor is located in a text box. Some of the most common uses of dictation in CARET Legal include:

• Calendar description field
• Emails
• Lead/Matter notes
• Phone call notes
• Documents e.g. zEditor
• Time Entry Narrative/Description field
• Task description field