How to Use Text to Speech in Microsoft Word Online

Learn how to use Helperbird's Text to Speech feature in Microsoft Word Online. Have your documents read aloud while you follow along with word highlighting.

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What is Text to Speech in Word Online?

Text to Speech reads your Microsoft Word Online documents out loud using a computer voice. Instead of reading with your eyes, you can listen to your document being spoken while following along with word highlighting.

Helperbird works directly in Microsoft Word Online. You can have the entire document read aloud, listen to just the text you highlight, or copy and paste text into the Text to Speech panel.


Who is This For?

This feature is helpful for:

  • People with dyslexia who find listening easier than reading
  • Students who want to proofread their writing by hearing it
  • People with visual impairments who use Word Online
  • Anyone who learns better by listening
  • Educators who want to review student work by listening

Step 1: Open Your Document

Go to Microsoft Word Online and open the document you want to listen to.

You can access Word Online at office.com or through your school's Microsoft 365 account.


Step 2: Open Helperbird

Click the Helperbird icon in your browser toolbar. It looks like a small owl and is usually in the top-right corner of your browser.

This will open the Helperbird menu.


Step 3: Find Text to Speech

Scroll down to the bottom of the Helperbird menu. You will see a section called All Features.

Click the arrow next to All Features to expand it and show all available features.

Look through the list until you see Text to Speech. Click on it to open it.

A panel will appear with a text area and playback controls.


Step 4: Play the Text

There are several ways to use Text to Speech in Word Online:

  • Read selected text – Highlight the text you want to hear in your Word document by clicking and dragging your mouse over it. Then click the play button. Helperbird will read the highlighted text.

  • Read custom text – Copy text from your Word document and paste it into the text box in the panel. Click the play button to hear it read aloud.

To stop the audio, click the pause or stop button.


Step 5: Customize Settings

Click the Settings tab to adjust how the text is read:

  • Voice – Choose from different voices. You can select male or female voices in various accents.

  • Speed – Adjust how fast or slow the voice speaks. A slower speed is good for learning, while a faster speed helps you get through content quickly.

  • Pitch – Change how high or low the voice sounds.

  • Highlight Color – As text is read, it can be highlighted. Choose the color for this highlight so you can follow along.


Video Tutorial

Coming soon


Need Additional Help?

If you have any questions or run into any issues, please contact the Helperbird support team. You can reach us at Helperbird support. We are happy to help you get the most out of Helperbird.

What People Are Saying

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Saw it mentioned at Cast last night! Love Immersive Reader.

Taylor Coffee

Taylor Coffee

Firefox user

Wow i am really glad someone had this idea. We need more helper tools like this.

Mohammad Karzai

Mohammad Karzai

Helperbird user

Love this extension works beautifully overall.

Pauline Olsen

Pauline Olsen

Helperbird user

Amazing tool, love the new overlay feature!!

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James Connel

Helperbird user

They were super fast with response time when helping me meet a deadline and very kind when corresponding. If the app is anything like their customer service then I am happy with my purchase!

DD BA

DD BA

Helperbird user

I've been meaning to write this review for a while now. My daughter is newly diagnosed with dyslexia and I heard an interview with Robert on a Newstalk podcast and sought it out. I wasn't sure if I had it installed correctly on her laptop and Robert was on straight away to help. He was amazing. This app has changed everything for my daughter. Everything is accessible to her and everyday tasks and schoolwork are so much easier. She also has visual stress so the coloured overlay feature is a game changer for her. I would highly recommend this app to anyone, she couldn't be without it now!

James Summer

James Summer

Helperbird user

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