Read Aloud Settings

Question

Hi,

I used to be able to change the voice on my read aoud in word. Now the only options I have are Male or Female.

Now i chose George as my default voice but that is not being recognised in word.

I want George back, I am a writer so I used Read Aloud a lot.

Thank you

Answer 1

That's a real problem for editors who rely on read aloud to find editing errors. Hearing the manuscript in a non-native accent is very helpful. Please ask them to put it back the way it was.

Answer 2

I apologize -- my copy of Microsoft 365 apps just updated to Version 2110, and the ability to choose anything other than Male/Female has disappeared. Evidently Microsoft's developers think this is an improvement. :( The assortment of voices, including George, is still available in Narrator, but Office no longer honors that choice.

All you can do about this now is to go to File > Feedback > Send a Frown and tell them what you think.

Answer 3

If this is what you see when you click the settings icon,

then you're using Word Online in your browser. That version of Word omits many of the features of desktop Word, including the ability to choose specific voices.

To get George back, click the Editing button above the ribbon and click "Open in Desktop App" in the menu (that assumes you do have the desktop version of Office installed on your computer). If the English (United Kingdom) voices have been installed there, then George will be available in Word's Read Aloud settings as well as in Windows Narrator.

Answer 4

I apologize -- my copy of Microsoft 365 apps just updated to Version 2110, and the ability to choose anything other than Male/Female has disappeared. Evidently Microsoft's developers think this is an improvement. :( The assortment of voices, including George, is still available in Narrator, but Office no longer honors that choice.

All you can do about this now is to go to File > Feedback > Send a Frown and tell them what you think.

Hi Jay,

I wish I could send more than a frown. I guess i might have to get used to this guy's voice.

Thank you

Answer 5

Hi Jay,

Thank you for your response.

I am using the desktop version of word.

I open my document from word on my desktop.

I have rebooted a few times too.