Excel 2002 introduced the Text -To – Specch feature. It’s an interesting one, you can get Excel to call out back to you the contents of a range of cells, or call out the cell contents as you type the data.
The feature is still available but hidden now form Excel 2007 onwards it not ovbious where this feature is hiding. It is still available, but what you need to do is spend a few minutes putting it on your Quick Access Toobar (QAT) so you actually get using it.
- Right click the QAT
- From the shortcut menu select Customize Quick Access Toolbar
- Click the drop down list
- Select Command Not In The Ribbon
- Scroll down to items that begin with speech- should be 5 in total and select all of them
- Add then Ok
The QAT should have 5 new items on it.
So, lets get using the feature! To read a range of cells, select the range and select the Speak Cells Button.
To read the data on entry just select the Speak on enter button.
This is a love it or really hate it feature!
If you want to change the voice or its speed there is a small bit of control that you have, where else but in the Control Panel of Windows. You will find the settings in the Speech Properties. You can change the speed or choose a different voice.
Give this a go and let us know what you think, will you use it? It’s a bit of fun at the least!!