Office Settings & Configuration

Can Microsoft Word Play Audio When Text Is Selected? | WPS Support

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if Microsoft Word can automatically play audio files, such as pronunciation or vocabulary recordings, whenever a specific text or word is selected in the document.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating language learning materials or interactive documents where audio needs to play seamlessly upon text selection to aid in pronunciation.
Observed behavior: Currently, users cannot find a built-in feature in Microsoft Word to trigger embedded audio playback simply by selecting text or placing the cursor over it.

Before you start

Ensure you have your pronunciation or vocabulary audio files saved in a standard format (such as MP3 or WAV) on your local drive before attempting to manually insert them into your document.

Solution 1Recommended

Insert Audio Files for Manual Playback

Since automatic playback upon selection is not supported in Word, you can embed audio files directly into your document as objects for manual playback.

Microsoft Word does not have a built-in event trigger for playing audio on text selection. The most reliable workaround is to embed an audio file as an icon that the reader can double-click to listen to the pronunciation.

Open your Word document

Launch Microsoft Word and open the document where you want to add the audio recording.

Access the Object menu

Navigate to the 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon, locate the 'Text' group on the right side, and click on 'Object'.

Embed the audio file

In the Object dialog box, click on the 'Create from File' tab. Browse your computer for the desired audio file, check the 'Display as icon' box, and click 'OK'.

Play the audio

Place the inserted audio icon next to the relevant vocabulary word. Users can now double-click the icon to play the audio through their default media player.

Alternative Method: You can also upload your audio files to a cloud service (like Google Drive or OneDrive) and insert them as hyperlinks directly onto the text. Users can click the link to hear the audio in their browser.

Solution 2

Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft

If automatic text-triggered audio is essential for your workflow, you can submit this feature suggestion directly to Microsoft's development team.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Lightweight and Flexible Office Alternative?

While standard word processors don't natively support playing audio simply by selecting text, WPS Office offers a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative for creating and managing all your documents, complete with seamless migration and a familiar interface.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install the software: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
3. Open your documents seamlessly: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word documents. Your formatting, embedded objects, and layouts will be perfectly preserved.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats.Easily insert multimedia objects and hyperlinks to create interactive documents for language learning.Lightweight design ensures fast loading times even for media-heavy documents.Free to use with a familiar, tabbed user interface for effortless navigation.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use VBA macros to play audio when text is selected in Word?

While VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) macros can be programmed to play audio files, Word does not feature an automatic event trigger that fires purely upon selecting a standard text string. You would still need to trigger the macro manually using a dedicated button or a keyboard shortcut.

Is there a read-aloud feature built into Microsoft Word?

Yes, Microsoft Word includes a 'Read Aloud' feature located under the Review tab. It utilizes text-to-speech technology to read your document out loud. While it is very helpful for general pronunciation, it uses a synthesized computer voice rather than your own custom embedded audio recordings.

What is the best alternative software for creating interactive vocabulary lists with audio?

For highly interactive language-learning materials that automatically play audio upon clicking or selecting text, dedicated flashcard applications like Anki or Quizlet, or creating interactive PDFs using advanced editing software, are much better suited than standard word processors.

Office App Problems