> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sightlinebehavior.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Dictate text on your computer

> Speak into a Sightline text field to add a note, context, or write-up text, with transcription on your computer.

**1. Download the transcription model**

In **Settings** → **Transcription**, select **Download** beside **Dictation and voice notes**. It is a one-time download. If you press the dictation key before downloading, Sightline offers the download there.

**2. Check the key**

The dictation key is Right Option on a Mac and Right Ctrl on Windows. To change it, go to **Settings** → **Transcription**, select the key shown beside **Dictation key**, and press the key or combination you want.

**3. Dictate**

Click in a text field. Tap the key to start and tap it again to stop, or hold it while you speak and release it to stop. Your words appear where the cursor was. Press <kbd>Esc</kbd> to cancel without inserting anything.

## Clean up dictated text with AI

With Clean up dictation on, Sightline's AI model removes filler words, repeated words, and false starts, and fixes punctuation and capitalization before the text is inserted. Cleanup needs the AI model downloaded and Local AI turned on in Settings → AI Assistant. See [Set up AI](https://docs.sightlinebehavior.com/ai-setup.md). Dictation works without it.

## Good to know

Dictation stops at 5 minutes and inserts what it heard.

Read dictated text before you save it, especially names and behavior terms.

The audio is transcribed on your computer and deleted afterward. It is not saved with the observation. See [How Sightline handles student data](https://docs.sightlinebehavior.com/student-data.md).

If the microphone is blocked or the text can't be inserted, see [Desktop troubleshooting](https://docs.sightlinebehavior.com/troubleshooting.md#ai-and-dictation).

## Related

* [Set up AI](https://docs.sightlinebehavior.com/ai-setup.md)
* [Record voice notes on iPhone](https://docs.sightlinebehavior.com/companion/voice-notes.md)
* [Settings](https://docs.sightlinebehavior.com/settings.md)


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