Office Settings & Configuration

Fix Word Transcribe Producing English Text for Polish Audio

Elise Williams Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to correct the transcription language settings in Microsoft Word so that uploaded Polish audio files are accurately transcribed into Polish text rather than incorrect English.

How to Fix Word Transcribe Generating English Text for Polish Audio

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Uploading a Polish audio recording to the Transcribe feature in Word for the web to generate automatic text.
Observed behavior: Word Transcribe generates inaccurate English text instead of the expected Polish transcription because the spoken language was not configured properly.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into your Microsoft 365 account on Word for the web and that your original Polish audio file is in a supported format such as .mp4, .m4a, .mp3, or .wav.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Transcription Language Before Uploading

Set the correct spoken language in the Word Transcribe pane prior to uploading your audio file to ensure the engine processes the speech accurately.

Microsoft Word's Transcribe feature defaults to English in many regions. If the language is not manually changed to match the audio before the file is uploaded, the transcription engine will attempt to interpret the foreign language as English, resulting in inaccurate text.

Open Word for the Web

Navigate to office.com in your web browser, log in with your Microsoft credentials, and open a new blank document.

Access the Transcribe Tool

On the Home tab, click the drop-down arrow next to the 'Dictate' button (microphone icon) and select 'Transcribe' to open the transcription pane on the right side of the screen.

Set the Spoken Language

In the Transcribe pane, locate the 'Spoken language' drop-down menu and change it from English to Polish (or your desired language).

Upload the Audio Recording

Click the 'Upload audio' button and select your Polish audio file from your local device or OneDrive to begin processing.

Change Transcription Language Before Uploading

Timing is Critical: You must select the spoken language before clicking 'Upload audio'. Changing the language setting after the upload has already started will not alter the language of the current transcription task.

Smart Voice to Text in WPS

Transcribe Audio to Text Easily with WPS Office

WPS Office offers robust built-in Dictation and Speech-to-Text features, allowing you to accurately convert spoken words into written documents across multiple languages without complicated cloud configurations.

1. Download and Open WPS Office: Install WPS Office on your device, launch the application, and create a new Writer document.
2. Access the Dictation Tool: Navigate to the 'Tools' or 'Home' tab on the top ribbon menu and select the 'Audio to Text' or 'Dictate' feature.
3. Select Your Language: Open the language settings within the dictation tool and choose your preferred spoken language, such as Polish.
4. Begin Transcription: Start speaking into your microphone or process your audio to watch the accurately transcribed text automatically populate your document.

Highly accurate Speech-to-Text conversion supporting multiple global languagesFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats for seamless file sharingProcesses efficiently within a lightweight, fast-loading desktop applicationFree all-in-one office suite containing Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Transcribe option missing or greyed out in Microsoft Word?

The Transcribe feature is primarily available in Word for the web and requires a premium Microsoft 365 subscription. Ensure you are using a supported browser like Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome and are fully signed into an active subscription account.

Can I change the transcription language after the file has finished uploading?

No. The spoken language setting dictates how the audio is processed during the upload phase. You must set the correct language in the Transcribe pane before you select and upload the audio file.

What should I do if my audio file format is not supported by Word Transcribe?

Word Transcribe only supports .wav, .mp4, .m4a, and .mp3 files. If your recording is in a different format (like .mkv or .flac), you will need to use a free online audio converter or audio editing software to convert it into a supported format before uploading.

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