Other PDF Issues

How to Change Voice and Reading Speed in a PDF Reader

Emma Brown Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to adjust the voice type and reading speed when using the read-aloud or text-to-speech feature in a PDF application.

How to Change Voice and Reading Speed in a PDF Reader

Product: PDF Reader
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Listening to the contents of a PDF document using built-in text-to-speech accessibility features.
Observed behavior: The user aims to customize the audio playback by selecting a preferred voice profile and modifying the playback speed for better comprehension.

Before you start

Ensure your PDF reader supports text-to-speech (Read Aloud) functionality and that your device has audio output enabled and turned up.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Text-to-Speech Settings in the PDF Reader

Use the built-in accessibility or read-aloud settings in your PDF application to customize the reading voice and playback speed.

Most modern PDF applications include a Read Aloud feature that leverages your operating system's built-in text-to-speech voices. You can usually access and modify these preferences directly through the application's view or accessibility menus.

Activate Read Aloud

Launch your PDF reader, open the document you want to listen to, and navigate to the 'View' or 'Accessibility' menu to select 'Read Aloud' or 'Text-to-Speech'.

Access Voice Settings

Look for the playback toolbar on your screen, or go to the application's 'Preferences' or 'Settings' menu and find the 'Reading' or 'Speech' tab.

Change Voice and Speed

Select your preferred voice from the available dropdown menu. Use the speed controls or slider to increase or decrease the reading tempo, then confirm your changes.

Adjust Text-to-Speech Settings in the PDF Reader

Voice Availability: The specific voices available in the dropdown menu depend on the language packs and text-to-speech engines currently installed on your operating system.

Listen to PDFs with WPS Office

Effortlessly Read PDFs Aloud Using WPS Office

WPS Office offers a robust built-in PDF reader with intuitive text-to-speech capabilities, allowing you to comfortably listen to your documents while easily managing reading speed and voice preferences.

1. Open PDF in WPS Office: Launch the WPS Office application and open the PDF document you wish to read.
2. Access the Read Feature: Navigate to the 'Home' or 'View' tab on the top ribbon menu and click on the 'Read' or 'Text to Speech' option.
3. Adjust Playback Settings: Use the floating playback toolbar that appears to play, pause, or adjust the reading speed to suit your listening preferences.

Built-in text-to-speech functionality for PDF filesFully compatible with all standard PDF formatsIntuitive playback controls for speed and pausingLightweight, fast, and free to use

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I hear any voice when I play my PDF?

Check if your device's volume is muted or if the wrong audio output device is selected. Additionally, verify that the PDF contains actual selectable text; if it is a scanned image, standard text-to-speech cannot read it without OCR.

Can I add more voices to my PDF reader?

Yes, but this is usually done at the system level. Most PDF readers use the text-to-speech voices installed on your operating system. You can add more voices by downloading language packs through your Windows or Mac system settings.

Can I use text-to-speech on a scanned PDF document?

Standard text-to-speech features cannot read text from scanned images. You must first use an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tool to convert the scanned document into readable, selectable text before using the Read Aloud feature.

Does increasing reading speed affect the pitch of the voice?

In modern text-to-speech engines, adjusting the reading speed changes the tempo without significantly altering the pitch. This ensures the voice remains clear and natural even when reading fast.

PDF Troubleshooting