# Dictate into any app with the fn key

> Tap fn to start dictating in any Mac app and tap it again to stop. NoteOwl types your words at the cursor and keeps exactly what you said.

Source: https://www.noteowl.ai/docs/dictation/dictate-into-any-app · Last updated 2026-09-27 · Checked against NoteOwl 1.0.0

To dictate with NoteOwl, click where you want the text, tap **fn** and talk, then tap **fn** again or press **● Stop** to finish. Your words type live at the cursor in any app, and dictation is free and unlimited.

## How do I start and stop dictation?

Tap **fn** once to start and once more to stop. NoteOwl needs to be running: its waveform icon sits in the menu bar.

1. Click where you want the words to go: an email, a message, a document or a code editor.
2. Tap **fn**. The NoteOwl panel opens at the top of the screen and starts listening.
3. Talk normally. Your words appear at the cursor as you speak, and pausing doesn't end the dictation.
4. Tap **fn** again, or press **● Stop** in the panel. The panel shows where the words went, for example **Inserted into Mail**.

You can also start and stop from the menu bar: click the NoteOwl icon and choose **Start Dictation**. To have **fn** ready as soon as you log in, turn on **Open at login** in **Settings → General**.

## What can I do after I stop?

When you stop, the panel offers four actions. Your text only changes if you choose one.

| Action      | What it does                                                                                                              |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Polish**  | Replaces the words NoteOwl typed with a cleaned-up version, in the tone set for that app, without changing what you meant |
| **Rewrite** | Lets you say how you want the text changed (NoteOwl Pro)                                                                  |
| **More…**   | **Shorten**, **Clarify**, **Make formal** or **Make friendly**                                                            |
| **Done**    | Closes the panel and leaves the text as it is                                                                             |

## Does dictation use a different tone in each app?

Yes. NoteOwl picks a tone for the app you're dictating into, such as a professional email in Mail or a casual message in Slack. That tone is used when you choose **Polish**, and for the polished copy NoteOwl saves with each dictation.

Change it in **Settings → Auto-Context**:

* For every app: **Match each app** (the default), **Light polish** or **Keep exact**.
* Under **Per-app overrides**, for Apple Mail, Slack, Messages, VS Code, Notes and Obsidian: **Polish**, **Professional Email**, **Casual Message**, **Tidy Notes**, **Code** or **Keep exact**.

**Keep exact** leaves your words as you said them.

## Are my original words kept?

Yes. NoteOwl saves every dictation in **Dictations**: **Raw** shows exactly what you said, **Output** the polished version, and **Split** both side by side. An **fn** dictation is saved as text; a voice note recorded with **New Dictation** also keeps its audio, so you can press **Play**.

![The NoteOwl Dictations screen, showing a dictation's raw words on the left and its Professional Email version on the right](https://www.noteowl.ai/product/07-dictations.webp)

## What if NoteOwl can't type into the app?

NoteOwl types at the cursor using the macOS **Accessibility** permission. Without it, NoteOwl copies the finished text instead, and the panel says **Copied — press ⌘V**. Press ⌘V to paste it.

To have NoteOwl type directly, turn on NoteOwl in **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility**.

## Which other shortcuts does NoteOwl have?

Three more, all in NoteOwl Pro: **⌥ Space** records a meeting, **⌥ X** rewrites the selected text by voice, and **⌥ Z** asks your memory out loud.

| Shortcut | What it does                                                      | Plan        |
| -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------- |
| fn       | Dictate: tap to start, then tap again or press **Stop** to finish | Free        |
| ⌥ Space  | Start or stop recording a meeting                                 | NoteOwl Pro |
| ⌥ X      | Rewrite the selected text by voice                                | NoteOwl Pro |
| ⌥ Z      | Ask your memory out loud; the answer is never typed into the app  | NoteOwl Pro |

NoteOwl lists these in **Settings → General → Keyboard Shortcuts**. If **fn** does nothing but the ⌥ shortcuts work, NoteOwl is missing a permission: see [the fn key doesn't start dictation](https://www.noteowl.ai/docs/troubleshooting/fn-key-not-working).

## Common questions

### Is dictation in NoteOwl free?

Yes. Dictation into any app is part of NoteOwl Free, with no limit and no account. Every NoteOwl dictation is also saved as a voice note you can search, play and export.

### Does NoteOwl dictation work offline?

Yes. NoteOwl turns your speech into text on your Mac, so dictation works without an internet connection once NoteOwl's on-device AI models have been downloaded after install.

### Does NoteOwl send my dictations anywhere?

No. NoteOwl keeps every dictation and its text on your Mac. Nothing you dictate is uploaded to NoteOwl or anyone else.

## Related

- [The fn key doesn't start dictation](https://www.noteowl.ai/docs/troubleshooting/fn-key-not-working): If fn does nothing but NoteOwl's ⌥ shortcuts still work, turn on Input Monitoring for NoteOwl in System Settings, then quit and reopen NoteOwl.

Learn more: [Dictation on the NoteOwl Features page](https://www.noteowl.ai/features#dictation)