Yes. Microsoft Word can read all or part of a document aloud. On desktop, go to Review > Read Aloud; in Word for the web, choose View > Immersive Reader and press Play. The controls let you pause, navigate paragraphs, and adjust the voice or reading speed.
Use Read Aloud in Word on a computer
- Open your document and select Review > Read Aloud.
- Press Play in the playback controls. To hear a specific passage, select its text before starting Read Aloud.
- Use Pause to pause, Previous or Next to navigate paragraphs, and Stop or the close control to exit.
- Select the settings gear to change the voice or reading speed.
Microsoft lists these keyboard shortcuts for Word on Windows: Ctrl+Alt+Space to start Read Aloud, Ctrl+Space to play or pause, Ctrl+Left Arrow to return to the start of the current paragraph, Ctrl+Right Arrow to move to the next paragraph, and Alt+Left Arrow or Alt+Right Arrow to slow down or speed up. For macOS, Microsoft lists Ctrl+Option+Space to start and Option+Space to play or pause. Shortcuts can differ by build, so check Microsoft’s current Word listening instructions if one does not work.
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Listen in Word for the web
- Open the document and select View > Immersive Reader.
- In Immersive Reader, press Play. To start at a particular point, select the word where you want listening to begin.
- Use the settings gear to adjust voice or speed. Close Immersive Reader when you want to return to the document.
Microsoft’s Immersive Reader guide describes the listening controls and language settings.
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The mobile entry point depends on the device. On iPad and Android phones, open the top menu and tap Read Aloud. On iPhone, tap the pen icon to open the ribbon, choose Review, then tap the gear and Read Aloud. Use the playback controls to listen and the settings gear to adjust speech rate. Exact labels may vary with app version and screen layout.
Which Word listening feature should you use?
| Feature | Best for | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Read Aloud | Listening to a document | Reads from the cursor or selected text and provides playback controls. |
| Speak | Hearing a short selection in Word for Windows | Reads selected text only; its control can be added to the Quick Access Toolbar. |
| Immersive Reader | A reading-focused view, including listening in Word for the web | Provides a focused reading view and listening controls. |
| Narrator | Using Windows with screen-reader support | Reads interface controls as well as document text. |
| macOS Speech | Reading selected text with macOS tools | Can read selected text using a shortcut configured in macOS Accessibility settings. |
For Microsoft’s descriptions of these features and their platform availability, see its Word listening guide.
Voice, language, and internet requirements
Microsoft says Read Aloud uses the document’s proofing language. Available voices depend on the platform and on whether text-to-speech is provided by the device or a Microsoft service. Microsoft notes that neural voices may require a stable internet connection and sign-in. If the pronunciation is unexpected, check the document’s proofing language as well as the voice setting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If Read Aloud is missing or will not start
- Check the Word edition. Microsoft’s support article lists Read Aloud for Office 2019, Office 2021, and Microsoft 365. Confirm current edition availability for your installation before choosing or purchasing an edition.
- Sign in to your Microsoft 365 account. Microsoft recommends this when Read Aloud is unavailable.
- Restart Word. If the feature still does not appear, sign out of Word and sign back in.
- Check your connection and sign-in for neural voices. Microsoft says these voices may need a stable internet connection and sign-in; other voice options can vary by platform.
Microsoft Support states that Read Aloud “doesn’t store your content or audio data” and that Microsoft uses your content only to provide audio results. See the Microsoft Support guide for the feature’s privacy statement and troubleshooting steps.
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