---
title: "Edit text by voice and use commands"
summary: "Change selected text or ask for a new text with the dictation key, use saved commands with their own shortcut, and check or undo an AI change."
url: "https://help.medisynchealth.ai/en/dictate/edit-text-by-voice"
product: "MediSync Dictate"
platforms: ["windows","macos"]
access: "public"
updated: "2026-11-11"
version: "Dictate 0.4.0-beta.6"
---

# Edit text by voice and use commands

Change selected text or ask for a new text with the dictation key, use saved commands with their own shortcut, and check or undo an AI change.

Select text, hold `Ctrl` + `Win` and say what should change. Dictate replaces the selection with the new text. The result is a draft you check.

## What you need: the assistant

Editing with the dictation key works when the **Assistant** switch under **Settings › Dictation › Smart features** is on. It is on by default. When it is off, Dictate writes exactly what you say. **Smart Dictation** must be on as well.

The assistant works with MediSync Cloud. With MediSync Local it needs the assistant model on this computer. Without it, the Action Bar shows `Editing model missing`. [MediSync Cloud and MediSync Local](https://help.medisynchealth.ai/en/dictate/cloud-or-local) explains the difference.

## Change selected text

1. Select the text in any program.
2. Hold `Ctrl` + `Win` and say the instruction, for example "Turn this into a bullet list" or "Make this more formal".
3. Let go. The new text replaces the selection, and the Action Bar shows **Text replaced**.
4. Read the text. If it is not right, undo it with `Ctrl` + `Z` in the program, or dictate "Undo".

## Ask for a new text

With the cursor in an empty field, say what Dictate should write. For example: "Write to Ms Weber that the Monday appointment is cancelled". Dictate writes the draft at the cursor, and the Action Bar shows **Written**.

If you have selected a message and ask for a reply, the message stays. The reply goes to the clipboard, and the bar shows `Copied. Ctrl+V to paste`.

## The edit key

You can also change selected text with a key of its own. This works when the assistant is off too. The key is off by default.

1. In the sidebar, open **Personalize › Commands**.
2. In the **Edit key** row, turn on the **Use the edit key** switch.
3. **Change** records another key. The default is `Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Win`, on a Mac `Fn` + `Control`.

Select text, hold the key and speak the instruction. If nothing is selected, the bar shows `Select text first`.

## Commands: saved instructions

A command is a saved instruction with its own shortcut. You select text, press the shortcut, and Dictate rewrites the text. You do not speak.

The commands are under **Personalize › Commands**. First turn on **Use commands**. Until then the command shortcuts do nothing.

| Command | What it does | Windows | Mac |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Polish** | Clearer and shorter | `Alt` + `Win` + `1` | `Option` + `Command` + `1` |
| **Improve prompt** | A clear request for an AI | `Alt` + `Win` + `2` | `Option` + `Command` + `2` |
| **More formal** | Factual and polite | `Alt` + `Win` + `3` | `Option` + `Command` + `3` |

### Add your own command

1. Click **Add your own command**.
2. Enter a **Name**, for example "Doctor's letter".
3. Under **Shortcut**, click **Record** and press the keys. A shortcut needs `Ctrl`, `Alt` or `Win`.
4. Under **Instruction**, write how the command should change your text.
5. Click **Done**. Dictate saves every change at once.

A click on a command opens it again. There you change it, delete it with **Delete command**, or reset a built-in command with **Reset**. **Restore default commands** deletes your own commands and changes. You click it a second time to confirm.

### Auto apply after dictation

With **Auto apply after dictation** every dictation goes through a command before it is inserted. Choose the command and switch the row on. If the command fails, Dictate inserts the dictation as you said it.

### Try a command

**Test on sample text** applies a command to a sample text. You can change the text. Choose the **Command** and click **Apply**. Dictate shows the **Draft** and inserts nothing.

Commands need MediSync Cloud, or the assistant model in MediSync Local.

## What the AI changed

After a command or auto apply, the Action Bar shows **View**. The button opens **What the AI changed**:

- **Changes** shows word by word what was removed and what is new.
- **Before** and **After** show the two versions.
- **Undo only the AI change** brings back your dictation without the change. This works only right after, while nothing else changed in the program.

Later you open the change on the **Home** page, in the menu of the dictation, with **View AI change**.

## What Dictate never adds

A command may not add a number or drop a number you said. In a hospital or practice system it may not add a new content word either, such as a name, a finding or a drug. If the AI version breaks this rule, Dictate inserts your dictation without the change and shows `Inserted without the AI change`.

> **Important**
> Everything the assistant or a command writes is a draft. Read it before you send it. Clinical text is checked and released by the clinician. Dictate does not make a diagnosis.

## When editing fails

| Message | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| `Edit not possible` | Click **Retry** |
| `Text too long` | Click **In parts** |
| `Timed out` or `Server busy` | Click **Retry** |
| `Quota used up` | **Plan** opens your plan |

In every case the selection in the program stays as it was.

## Where the text goes

With MediSync Cloud the selected text goes to MediSync's servers in Frankfurt for editing. With MediSync Local it stays on this computer.