It’s not the first text-to-speech feature in Word, but this one allows for finer controls. Once users select Read Aloud in the Review tab, they can highlight text to have it read back to them. Previous efforts would generally read only selections or the entire document, but this one allows for finer control, reading as you highlight. This should let people with learning disabilities more easily catch mistakes in their work (and, in theory, could help anybody who likes having their work read back to them to proofread).  Additionally, the Office 365 update includes the ability to turn text into timelines in PowerPoint and add 3D objects from Remix Studio into Word, PowerPoint or Excel. If you’re an Office 365 insider, you should be able to find Read Aloud and the other features now. General availability is scheduled to take place later this year. Image credit: Microsoft 

Microsoft Word Tips

Previous TipNext Tip

Show Formatting Marks in Microsoft WordSee All of Microsoft Word’s Keyboard ShortcutsSelect All Text with Similar Formatting in Microsoft WordCreate Table Templates in Microsoft WordUse Microsoft Office’s Lorem Ipsum (Random Text) GeneratorAdd a Table of Contents in WordCo-Edit a Document in WordAdd or Remove Page Breaks in WordPut Microsoft Office into Touch-Friendly ModeCompare Docs Side-by-SideConfigure Spell Check and AutocorrectRemove Double Spaces After a PeriodCompare and Combine Two DocsCopy and Paste Text from Multiple Locations