Windows 11 does not provide a documented editor for creating custom speech-recognition rules that turn your own phrases into punctuation. You can instead enable automatic punctuation or say punctuation marks aloud. The setting is different in Voice access and Voice typing, so use the instructions for the feature you actually dictate with.
Can you create custom punctuation rules in Windows 11?
No custom punctuation-rules editor is documented in Microsoft’s Windows instructions. Voice access offers an automatic-punctuation toggle and spoken commands for inserting specific marks; Voice typing has its own automatic-punctuation toggle. These controls do not let you define a phrase such as “new thought” to insert a comma or period.
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Voice access shortcuts are a separate feature. Microsoft documents them for creating shortcuts to actions, but its instructions do not establish them as a way to define punctuation recognition rules. See Use voice to create voice access shortcuts for that feature’s scope.
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| Feature | Purpose | Where automatic punctuation lives | Speech recognition context | Custom punctuation rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voice access | Control the PC and dictate text by voice. | Voice access bar > Settings > Manage options > Turn on automatic punctuation. | Microsoft says Voice access works without an internet connection. | No custom punctuation-rules editor is documented. |
| Voice typing | Dictate using the Voice typing flyout. | Open the flyout’s gear settings and turn on Automatic punctuation. | Microsoft says Voice typing uses online speech recognition powered by Azure Speech services. | No custom punctuation-rules editor is documented. |
For Voice access details, see Microsoft’s Dictate text with voice. For Voice typing, see Use voice typing to talk instead of type on your PC. The Voice access offline statement applies to Voice access, not to Voice typing.
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Turn on automatic punctuation in Voice access
- Open the Voice access bar.
- Select Settings > Manage options.
- Select Turn on automatic punctuation.
Microsoft says automatic punctuation is off by default in Voice access. This setting controls automatic punctuation behavior; it does not create custom phrase-to-punctuation rules. Voice access is supported on Windows 11 version 22H2 and later.
Turn on automatic punctuation in Voice typing
- Open the Voice typing flyout.
- Select its gear icon to open settings.
- Turn on Automatic punctuation.
Voice typing is a separate dictation interface, so its setting is not in the Voice access bar. Its speech recognition is online, according to Microsoft’s Voice typing instructions.
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Insert a punctuation mark by saying it
When you need a particular mark rather than relying on automatic punctuation, speak its command as part of dictation. Microsoft documents commands such as:
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- “Comma”
- “Period” or “Full stop”
- “Question mark”
- “Exclamation mark” or “Exclamation point”
- “Colon” and “Semicolon”
Commands are not necessarily identical across languages or marks. Check Microsoft’s Voice access command list for the punctuation command that applies to your language and mark.
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What about Windows Speech Recognition?
Older Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) command instructions should not be treated as the current Windows 11 settings path. Microsoft says Voice access replaced WSR for Windows 11 version 22H2 and later in September 2024. The older command page remains available as legacy context: Windows Speech Recognition commands.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Fluid dictation on Copilot+ PCs
Microsoft also describes Fluid dictation for Copilot+ PCs. Its support information describes English-language availability that depends on installing the required on-device model. Fluid dictation automatically revises grammar, punctuation, and spelling as you speak; it is not a custom punctuation-command editor. Check Microsoft’s current Voice typing support page for current availability and requirements.
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