(Image source from: guidingtech.com)

Transcribe in word allows users to record live conversations with multiple speakers or upload pre-recorded audio or video files.

Microsoft launched a new transcription service for its online version of word this week called transcribe which allows users to record live conversations with multiple speakers or even upload pre recorded audio or video files.

As a feature of word on the web, Microsoft’s new automatic transcription will work on any computer or laptop and with any software. This feature will also come to Microsoft’s desktop word in the coming years.

This transcription feature is available starting August 25 to all Microsoft 365 subscribers and can be seen under the ‘dictate’ icon on the web version of word.

When the dictate feature is kept active, it will offer the ability to start a recording for transcription through the program and will also accept pre-recorded audios too.

The transcript of the recorded version will appear first on the right side pane with the option to edit the texts and copy the full transcript or individual paragraphs into the main word document.

Microsoft has decided not to show the real time transcripts as of now but will show the transcripts after the recording is over.

The company felt that it would be distracting to display real time texts during an interview, for example, to see the text coming at the time of doing the interview.

Microsoft’s PM manager said that if people found anything more valuable in real time transcription the company would soon announce it in the platform.

For now, the transcription will be taken place in the background which reduces the time required for processing after the conversation is completed to a matter of minutes.

When the audio is being recorded, there is a red icon in the browser tab of the word which also has a timer indicating that the transcription is ON. however, there will be no sound meter to indicate that the transcribe option is active or ended.

People actually feel that Microsoft should have included a sound meter to indicate the working of this feature, given the fickle nature of the computers.

In addition, what is disappointing is that Microsoft only allows transcription for 300 minutes per month at present and also there is no option to purchase more minus if necessary.

However, the company says that it is mulling to pay for extra load in the future.

There is no limit on the minutes for transcription if recorded directly through the Microsoft word online.

By Gayatri Yellayi