Transcribe audio in Word on a Mac: it is in Word for the web, not the Mac app
By Ryleigh Newman · Published
If you cannot find Transcribe in Word on your Mac, that is because it is not there. Microsoft's support page lists the feature for Word for the web, and for the desktop app only in Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows. On a Mac, open Word for the web with a Microsoft 365 subscription, using Microsoft Edge or Chrome, and go to Home, Dictate, Transcribe. You can upload 300 minutes of audio a month.
The Word facts here are from Microsoft's support page Transcribe your recordings, read on October 11, 2026. I built YapToText, a free Mac app that turns audio files into text on the Mac, and I say below where each one fits.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
Where Transcribe is, and is not
From Microsoft's support page, read October 11, 2026.
| Version of Word | Transcribe |
|---|---|
| Word for the web | Yes, in the new Microsoft Edge or Chrome |
| Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows | Yes, in commercial tenants, by Microsoft's note |
| Word for Mac | Not listed on Microsoft's page |
Microsoft's page says Transcribe only works on the new Microsoft Edge and Chrome, so Safari is out. If you still cannot see the button, the page says to check that you are signed in with an active Microsoft 365 subscription.
Transcribe a file you already have
- Open Word for the web in Edge or Chrome and sign in to Microsoft 365.
- Go to Home, open the Dictate dropdown, and choose Transcribe.
- In the Transcribe pane, select Upload audio.
- Choose the file. Microsoft lists .wav, .mp4, .m4a and .mp3.
- Keep the pane open while it works. Microsoft says it can take up to about the length of the audio.
The transcript appears in the pane, split by speaker with timestamps. It is not put into the document until you choose Add all to document, or add single sections.
Record in Word
- Go to Home, Dictate, Transcribe.
- Select Start recording, and allow the browser to use the microphone the first time.
- Talk. Word transcribes in the background, so you do not see text while recording.
- Select Save and transcribe now when you finish.
To capture a call, Microsoft says not to use a headset, so the recording can pick up the sound from your computer.
The limits
- 300 minutes a month of uploaded audio with a Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft lists a much higher limit for accounts with its AI assistant license.
- It runs in Microsoft's cloud. The audio file is saved to a Transcribed Files folder in your OneDrive, where you can delete it.
- One transcript per document. Starting a new transcription deletes the current one from the pane. Sections you already added to the document stay.
- Speakers are numbered. Speaker 1, Speaker 2. You can rename a label everywhere at once.
- Languages. Microsoft says more than 80 locales.
Dictate is the other button
Dictate types what you say as you say it, and it is in Word for Mac. Transcribe works on a recording, labels speakers, and leaves the text in a side pane. If you want your own words on the page as you talk, you want Dictate, or macOS Dictation, or a dictation app. Dictation in Word on a Mac covers that side.
Transcribing on the Mac itself
Word from Microsoft's support page, read October 11, 2026. YapToText from its own settings.
| Word Transcribe | YapToText | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Microsoft's cloud, from a browser | On an Apple silicon Mac |
| Cost | A Microsoft 365 subscription | Free |
| Monthly cap | 300 minutes of uploads | None |
| File types | .wav, .mp4, .m4a, .mp3 | Any audio or video file macOS can decode |
| Speakers and timestamps | Yes | No. Plain text only |
| Where the file goes | Your OneDrive | Nowhere. It stays on the Mac |
Word is the better tool for an interview where you need to know who said what. YapToText is for when you want the words of a recording as text, with no upload and no cap. Transcribe an audio file on a Mac for free and transcribing an interview on a Mac go further.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
The short version
- On a Mac. Word for the web, in Edge or Chrome.
- Where. Home, Dictate, Transcribe.
- Cap. 300 minutes of uploads a month.
- Files. .wav, .mp4, .m4a, .mp3.
- No subscription. Transcribe the file on the Mac.
If Microsoft adds Transcribe to Word for Mac, open an issue on GitHub and I will update this page. Every one gets read.
This app is completely free. You don't have to make an account. There are no subscriptions, no difficult downloads, and nothing is locked. Made for Apple silicon Macs. Source on GitHub.
Related
Sources
- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/transcribe-your-recordings-7fc2efec-245e-45f0-b053-2a97531ecf57 (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://github.com/ryleighnewman/YapToText (checked 2026-10-11)
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/yaptotext/id6786382289 (checked 2026-10-11)
Questions
Does Word for Mac have Transcribe?
Microsoft's support page lists Transcribe for Word for the web and for Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows. It does not list Word for Mac.
How do I transcribe audio in Word on a Mac?
Open Word for the web in Edge or Chrome, sign in to Microsoft 365, and choose Home, Dictate, Transcribe, then Upload audio.
Does Word Transcribe work in Safari?
No. Microsoft says Transcribe only works on the new Microsoft Edge and Chrome.
Is there a limit on Word Transcribe?
Yes. A Microsoft 365 subscription allows 300 minutes of uploaded audio a month.
What audio files does Word Transcribe accept?
Microsoft lists .wav, .mp4, .m4a and .mp3.