How to Use Hearsy with Google Docs on Mac
Dictate into Google Docs faster than built-in voice typing
This page walks you through using Hearsy to dictate into Google Docs on your Mac. Press a hotkey, speak, and your words appear at the cursor in under 200 milliseconds — with optional AI cleanup to polish your text automatically. Hearsy works at the macOS system level, so it slots into Google Docs (in any browser) without interfering with the editor's own features. Looking for a comparison of all voice typing methods for Google Docs? See our editorial guide: [Speech to Text in Google Docs: Built-in vs Alternatives](/blog/speech-to-text-google-docs).
Step-by-step setup
- 1
Open your document in Google Docs
Navigate to Google Docs in any browser on your Mac. Open an existing document or create a new one. Place your cursor where you want text to appear.
- 2
Press your Hearsy hotkey
Trigger Hearsy with your configured keyboard shortcut (default: Fn twice or a custom hotkey). A recording indicator appears in your menu bar to confirm Hearsy is listening.
- 3
Speak your content naturally
Talk at your normal pace. Dictate paragraphs, headings, lists, or any text you would normally type. There is no need to say punctuation out loud — Hearsy handles it automatically.
- 4
Press the hotkey again to finish
Tap the hotkey once more to stop recording. Hearsy transcribes your speech on-device, applies AI enhancement if enabled, and pastes the text at your cursor position in Google Docs.
- 5
Continue writing or edit as needed
Review the inserted text and keep going. You can dictate additional sections, move your cursor to a different spot, and dictate again. Each dictation is independent, so you can build your document piece by piece.
Works in Every App on Your Mac
Hearsy pastes transcribed text wherever your cursor is — Gmail, Cursor, Claude, Slack, and hundreds more.
Why use Hearsy for Google Docs?
Hearsy transcribes on-device using local AI models, so your audio never leaves your Mac and there is no dependency on an internet connection. The Parakeet engine delivers results in under 200 milliseconds — you see your words the moment you stop talking.
The AI enhancement feature is what sets the workflow apart for long-form writing. It takes your raw spoken transcript and cleans it up: fixing grammar, adding punctuation, removing filler words, and structuring your prose. This turns rough dictation into publishable text without a manual editing pass.
Because Hearsy operates at the system level (clipboard + simulated keystrokes), it works identically whether Google Docs is open in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Arc, or Brave. There is nothing to configure per-browser.
When to use voice dictation in Google Docs
First drafts and brainstorming
Getting ideas out of your head and onto the page is faster when you speak. Dictate a rough first draft at the speed of thought, then refine it afterward. AI enhancement handles the cleanup so your draft is readable from the start.
Research notes and summaries
When reading sources or reviewing material, dictate your notes directly into Google Docs without switching between typing and reading. Speak your observations, quotes, and analysis as you go.
Meeting notes and action items
After a meeting, open a Google Doc and dictate your notes while the conversation is fresh. Hearsy's speed means you can capture everything in a fraction of the time it would take to type.
Long-form writing and essays
Articles, reports, and essays are mentally exhausting to type for hours. Dictation reduces physical strain and often produces more natural-sounding prose since you are literally speaking your ideas.
Accessibility and injury recovery
For users with RSI, carpal tunnel, or temporary hand injuries, voice dictation makes Google Docs fully usable without a keyboard. Hearsy's local processing means reliable performance regardless of your internet connection.
Tips for better results
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Turn on AI enhancement for long-form writing. It transforms stream-of-consciousness speech into well-structured paragraphs with proper punctuation.
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Dictate headings separately from body text. Click where you want the heading, dictate a short phrase, then format it in Google Docs before moving on to the paragraph.
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Use the Whisper engine when writing in languages other than English. It supports 99+ languages, while Parakeet is optimized for English speed.
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Dictate in sections rather than trying to speak an entire document at once. This keeps your thoughts organized and makes editing easier.
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For collaborative documents, dictate your contributions and let AI enhancement clean up filler words and false starts before your co-authors see the text.
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Pair Hearsy with Google Docs' offline mode for a completely offline writing experience — Hearsy transcribes locally, and Docs syncs when you reconnect.
Frequently asked questions
Does Hearsy work offline with Google Docs?
Hearsy's transcription works fully offline since it processes audio on-device. Google Docs itself requires an internet connection to save changes, but you can use Google Docs' offline mode with Hearsy for a completely offline writing experience.
Will Hearsy interfere with Google Docs' own voice typing?
No. Hearsy operates at the macOS system level by pasting text via simulated keystrokes. It does not interact with Google's voice typing feature at all. You can use either tool independently, though there is no reason to run both at the same time.
Does Hearsy work with Google Docs in any browser?
Yes. Hearsy works at the macOS system level, so it is compatible with Google Docs in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Arc, Brave, or any other browser. It pastes text wherever your cursor is positioned.
Which Hearsy engine should I use for Google Docs?
Use Parakeet for English — it delivers sub-50ms latency on Apple Silicon. For other languages, switch to Whisper, which supports 99+ languages with slightly higher latency. Both engines run entirely on-device.
Can I dictate into Google Sheets or Slides with Hearsy?
Yes. Because Hearsy pastes text at your cursor position regardless of the app, it works in Google Sheets cells, Google Slides text boxes, and any other Google Workspace app — unlike Google's built-in voice typing, which only works in Google Docs.
How do I use AI enhancement when dictating into Google Docs?
Enable AI enhancement in Hearsy's settings before you start dictating. When you finish speaking, Hearsy will run your transcript through an AI model that fixes grammar, adds punctuation, removes filler words, and structures your text before pasting it into Google Docs.
More workflows
Ready to Try Voice Dictation?
Hearsy is free to download. No signup, no credit card. Just install and start dictating.
Download Hearsy for MacmacOS 14+ · Apple Silicon · Free tier available