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How to Change Excel Text-to-Speech Speaking Speed
Question details
The user wants to adjust how quickly Excel reads cell contents aloud using the Speak Cells feature.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Using the text-to-speech functionality to audit or read data from Excel spreadsheets.
- Observed behavior
- Excel's Speak Cells feature reads text at an undesired speed, and there is no direct speed control menu found within the Excel application itself.
Ensure your computer's audio is unmuted and that you have administrative privileges to access and modify the Windows Control Panel settings.
Adjust Voice Speed via Windows Control Panel
Excel uses the default Windows text-to-speech engine. To change the reading speed in Excel, you must adjust the system-level speech settings.
Because Microsoft Excel relies on the built-in Windows text-to-speech capabilities, any changes made to the system's voice speed will automatically apply to Excel's Speak Cells feature.
Click the Start button, type 'Control Panel' into the Windows search bar, and press Enter to open it.
In the Control Panel search box located at the top right corner, type 'Text to Speech' and select 'Change text to speech settings' from the resulting list.
In the Speech Properties window under the 'Text to Speech' tab, locate the 'Voice speed' slider. Drag the slider toward 'Slow' or 'Fast' until you reach your desired reading rate.
Click the 'Preview Voice' button to hear a sample of how fast the text will be read. Once you are satisfied with the speed, click 'Apply' and then 'OK' to save your new settings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I find the Speak Cells option in Excel?
By default, the Speak Cells command is hidden and not on the main ribbon. To use it, go to File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar. Under the 'Choose commands from' dropdown, select 'All Commands', scroll down to 'Speak Cells', click 'Add', and then click 'OK'.
Can I change the voice tone or accent used by Excel's text-to-speech?
Yes. In the same Windows Speech Properties window where you adjusted the speed, you can use the 'Voice selection' dropdown menu to choose a different installed Windows voice persona.
Will changing this setting affect other applications?
Yes, adjusting the text-to-speech speed in the Windows Control Panel changes the default system voice rate. This will affect any other Windows programs that use the built-in system narrator or text-to-speech engine.
