Speech to text for Slack: how to dictate messages

Can you use speech to text in Slack?

Yes. Slack accepts text from any input method, so any system-wide dictation works: Apple Dictation on a Mac, Win+H on Windows, or a dictation app like F5Type. The difference is what you get back. Built-in tools type a transcript — every "um", every false start. F5Type gives you the message you meant to write.

How do I dictate a Slack message on a computer?

1. 1Install F5Type for Mac or Windows and allow the microphone.
2. 2In Slack, click into the message box of a channel, DM or thread.
3. 3Press F5 on Mac or Ctrl+Shift+Space on Windows.
4. 4Say your message as you would say it to a colleague.
5. 5Press the shortcut again. On Windows the message is typed into the box; on a Mac press ⌘V to paste it.
6. 6Glance at it and press Enter.

How do I dictate Slack messages on my phone?

1. 1Install F5Type on iPhone or Android.
2. 2Add the F5Type keyboard: on iPhone, Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard → F5Type, then turn on Allow Full Access; on Android, Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard → Manage keyboards.
3. 3In Slack, switch to the F5Type keyboard and dictate.

Which style works best for Slack?

• Message — short, direct, chat-shaped. Use it for most replies.
• Clean — your words, tidied. Good for longer explanations in a thread.
• Summary — turn a two-minute spoken update into three lines for a stand-up channel.
• Action Items — after a call, say what was agreed and post a checklist.
• Custom — save your own instruction, for example "friendly, no emoji, bullet points".

Will it get my teammates’ names right?

Add names, project codenames and product terms to your F5Type dictionary once, and the cleanup will spell them your way. Snippets help with things you paste often, like a meeting link or a standard "on it, will update by EOD".

Why dictate in Slack at all?

Chat is where context gets lost to brevity. When typing is slow, people send "ok" when they meant to explain the trade-off. Speaking makes the full explanation cheap, and the Message style keeps it from turning into a wall of text. It is also kinder on your hands if you are on Slack all day. For the speed side, see Dictation vs typing speed.

Does it work in Microsoft Teams, Discord and other chat apps?

Yes. Anything with a text box: Microsoft Teams, Discord, Telegram, WhatsApp, Google Chat. The steps are the same. See dictation for Slack and Teams.

Is it safe to dictate work messages?

F5Type does not use your recordings or transcripts to train AI models. Audio is saved on your device first, then sent to be transcribed; on a computer the local recording is deleted once the text is ready. It never sends a Slack message for you — you always press Enter. More in Private dictation.