1-Minute Beginner Tutorial
Sign in, start recording, release to type, and find the basic settings.
Open on YouTube →New user guide
Getting started with DictaFlow
A practical guide to getting DictaFlow typing where you already work.
If you only remember one thing: hold your trigger, speak naturally, release, and DictaFlow will type the cleaned-up text wherever your cursor is.
Quick start
- 1Install DictaFlow and sign in.
- 2Open any app with a text cursor.
- 3Hold your trigger, speak, then release.
- 4Set shortcuts, model choice, and custom instructions in Settings.
Watch first
Two short tutorials cover the basics.
These are the same quick-start videos used inside the desktop app.
1-Minute Advanced Tutorial
Smart Edit, work domains, Typing Mode, and power-user settings.
Open on YouTube →Step 1
Try your first dictation
Open any app with a text cursor: Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Word, Notes, VS Code, a browser, or a web form. Hold your dictation trigger, say one or two sentences, then release. The text should appear where your cursor was.
Holdstart recording
Speaktalk normally
Releasetext appears
Step 2
Set the shortcuts you will actually use
DictaFlow has separate triggers for normal dictation, AI Smart Edit, and Typing Mode. To change any shortcut, open Settings → Shortcuts & Interface, click Change Shortcut, then press the new key combo. If that shortcut is already used by another DictaFlow mode, the app will warn you.
Dictation
Your main hold-to-talk trigger. On Windows, this starts as Ctrl + Win.
AI Smart Edit
Use this when you want cleanup, rewriting, formatting, or selected-text edits. On Windows, this starts as Alt + Win, but you may need to turn it on first.
Typing Mode
Use this when normal paste fails in remote or locked-down apps. On Windows, this starts as Ctrl + Alt + Space, and needs to be enabled before use.
This guide is showing Windows shortcuts. On Mac, the defaults are Fn, Control + Fn, and Control + Option + Space.
Step 3
Use AI Smart Edit when you want more than a transcript
Use normal dictation for quick text. Use AI Smart Edit when you want DictaFlow to clean up, rewrite, generate, or follow an instruction while you talk.
Correct yourself: say “actually” or “I mean” and keep going.
Format as you speak: “make this a list” or “format this as Python.”
Edit selected text: highlight a paragraph and say “make this clearer.”
Generate drafts: “draft a polite follow-up email about the budget.”
Step 4
Teach DictaFlow your words
Open Knowledge Base. Use Custom Vocabulary for names, acronyms, drug names, product names, client names, and technical terms. Use Text Expansions for phrases or templates you repeat.
Custom Vocabulary
Words DictaFlow should spell exactly: “Aerius,” “DictaFlow,” client names, library names, drug names.
Text Expansions
Short voice triggers for repeated text, disclaimers, signatures, snippets, or templates.
Step 5
Choose the right model and add custom instructions
Open Settings and look for Model. This controls how DictaFlow balances speed, accuracy, and instruction-following.
Studio Session
The everyday choice. Use it when accuracy matters, especially for medical, technical, or name-heavy dictation.
Supersonic Sprint
The faster option. Good for quick notes, short replies, and rapid capture when speed matters more than polish.
Command Suite
The Pro option for complex dictation, custom instructions, and heavier cleanup.
Custom instructions
Click Edit Custom Instructions in Settings to tell DictaFlow how you want output shaped. Examples: write dates as YYYY-MM-DD, use concise bullets, keep emails warm but direct, or use headings like Background, Issue, Next Step.
Custom instructions work best with Command Suite or AI Smart Edit. Studio and Supersonic may ignore style instructions when they are focused on plain transcription.
Step 6
Set the parts that affect everyday use
Work domain: choose the kind of work you do, such as Medical & Clinical, Legal & Compliance, Software Engineering, Sales, Customer Support, or General.
Typing Mode: turn this on when text does not land correctly in Citrix, RDP, VMware, terminals, EMRs, CRMs, or locked-down apps. DictaFlow will type character by character instead of relying on the clipboard.
Toggle mode: start and stop recording with one press instead of holding the trigger. Useful for longer dictation or accessibility.
Notes: DictaFlow notes stay local on the device. If you want synced notes, dictate into a notes app that already syncs, like Apple Notes, OneNote, Notion, or Google Keep.
Quick fixes
If something feels off
Mic not working?
Check Settings → Audio Input and your system microphone permission.
Check Settings → Audio Input and your system microphone permission.
Shortcut conflict?
Change the dictation or AI Smart Edit trigger in Settings.
Change the dictation or AI Smart Edit trigger in Settings.
Remote app skips characters?
Increase Typing Delay under advanced settings.
Increase Typing Delay under advanced settings.
Background noise?
Adjust Silence Sensitivity so quiet sounds do not turn into random text.
Adjust Silence Sensitivity so quiet sounds do not turn into random text.
Ready to try it?
Download DictaFlow, open the app you already write in, and try one short sentence first.