How to Make a Mac Read: 7 Steps (with Pictures)

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How to Make a Mac Read: 7 Steps (with Pictures)
How to Make a Mac Read: 7 Steps (with Pictures)
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The "text to speech" method on a Macintosh allows users to select text and play it through the Mac's voice. This is a useful feature for those who need to rest their eyes or who works in multitask. Here are some steps to get your Mac to read.

Steps

Make a Mac Read to You Step 1
Make a Mac Read to You Step 1

Step 1. Set up a key combination

This combination is also called a hotkey or shortcut. The combination is a series of keys that you will have to press at the same time to start the text to speech function.

  • Open the "System Preferences", click on "Dictation and voice" and then on "Text to speak". Check the box for "Voice playback of selected text when key is pressed". Press the “Change button” and a window will appear from the top.
  • Choose the key combination you want. After pressing “Change key”, you will be able to choose the key combination that will start the voice playback. Make sure you are not using a combination that is already used by other programs on the Mac. For example, you could use Command + Shift + R or Command + Option + Control.
  • Click on "Ok" to save the combination.
Make a Mac Read to You Step 2
Make a Mac Read to You Step 2

Step 2. Adjust the volume on your computer

Make sure your Mac's volume is loud enough that you can hear the voice playback.

Make a Mac Read to You Step 3
Make a Mac Read to You Step 3

Step 3. Choose the text you want the Mac to read

You can choose any text on your computer screen regardless of its source, such as a website or a document on your hard drive. By default, your Mac will read the entire document, otherwise you can select the text to read with your mouse.

Make a Mac Read to You Step 4
Make a Mac Read to You Step 4

Step 4. Run the text to speech

Using the newly created key combination, make the Mac read. You can stop playback at any time using the same combination.

Make a Mac Read to You Step 5
Make a Mac Read to You Step 5

Step 5. Choose your Mac's voice

You can choose from different varieties of voices, both male and female. Select the desired voice via "System Preferences", "Dictation and Voice", "Text to Speak". Click on the "System Voice" drop-down menu to change the voice.

Make a Mac Read to You Step 6
Make a Mac Read to You Step 6

Step 6. Choose the speed of reading

You can alter the system voice so that it reads more or less quickly. Open "System Preferences", "Dictation & Voice", "Text to Speak". Adjust the slider for “Voice playback”. You can press “Play” to listen to a preview.

Make a Mac Read to You Step 7
Make a Mac Read to You Step 7

Step 7. Use the menu bar to use TTS while using Apple applications

If you are using applications like Safari, TextEdit or Pages, you can launch TTS from the menu bar.

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