Office Compatibility Issues

How to Upload and Transcribe an Audio File in Word for the Web

John Wilson Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to transcribe a recorded audio file into text using Microsoft Word but cannot find the upload feature in the desktop application.

How to Upload and Transcribe an Audio File in Word for the Web

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to upload an existing audio or video recording to automatically convert speech to text within a Word document.
Observed behavior: The desktop version of Microsoft Word does not support uploading audio files for transcription, offering only live dictation instead.

Before you start

Ensure you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription, as the transcription feature is a premium service. Also, verify that your audio recording is saved in a supported format (.wav, .mp4, .m4a, or .mp3).

Solution 1Recommended

Use Word for the Web to Transcribe Audio

Since the desktop application lacks the upload capability, Microsoft 365 subscribers must use the online version of Word to upload and transcribe audio files.

Microsoft Word's desktop app is primarily designed for creating and editing documents. While it supports live dictation, it does not process pre-recorded audio files. The transcription engine is entirely cloud-based and currently exclusive to Word for the web.

Sign in to Office Online

Open your web browser, navigate to Office.com, and sign in with your Microsoft 365 credentials.

Open Word for the web

Select the Word application icon from your Microsoft 365 dashboard and create a new blank document, or open an existing one.

Access the Transcribe feature

Navigate to the Home tab on the ribbon. Look for the Dictate button (microphone icon), click the drop-down arrow next to it, and select Transcribe from the menu.

Upload your audio file

In the Transcribe pane that opens on the right side of the screen, click the Upload audio button. Browse your computer to select your .wav, .mp4, .m4a, or .mp3 file, and wait for the service to process and transcribe the audio.

Use Word for the Web to Transcribe Audio

Processing Time: Depending on the length of your audio file and your internet connection speed, the transcription process may take a few minutes. Keep the browser tab open while it processes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I upload audio to transcribe directly in the Word desktop app?

Microsoft has currently restricted the 'Upload audio' transcribe feature to Word for the web for Microsoft 365 subscribers. The desktop application's speech-to-text engine only supports live dictation.

What audio file formats are supported for transcription in Word?

Word for the web supports uploading four specific file formats for transcription: .wav, .mp4, .m4a, and .mp3. If your audio is in another format, you will need to convert it first.

Is the transcribe feature free to use in Word online?

No, the audio upload and transcribe feature requires an active premium Microsoft 365 subscription. Free users with standard Microsoft accounts will not have access to this specific tool.

Office App Problems