Why dictate in Slack
Slack is where the long replies pile up: the thread that needs context, the status update, the “here’s why we decided that” message. You already know what you want to say. Typing it is the slow part.
Talking is faster, and it keeps the tone of a conversation — which is what Slack is. With dictation the other person still gets text they can skim, search and quote, not a clip they have to play.
How to dictate in Slack with Wisper
- Install Wisper from the Mac App Store (macOS 14 Sonoma or later). Allow the microphone, and switch Wisper on under Accessibility so it can paste for you.
- Click into the Slack message box, or a thread reply.
- Hold right ⌥ Option (or Fn, or ⌥W — your choice) and talk the way you would to a person.
- Let go. Wisper pastes clean text where your cursor is.
That’s the whole loop. For longer thoughts, double-tap the hotkey to go hands-free and tap again to stop. To change text you already wrote, select it, hold right ⌥ and say what to change — “shorter”, “friendlier”, “in Spanish”.
The style that fits: Default
Default keeps your words and just cleans them: fillers out, spoken corrections applied, punctuation in. That’s right for most Slack messages, because they should sound like you.
For quick DMs, try Casual. For a stand-up or status update, Quick note turns what you say into a few bullets.
“um so quick update on the launch, uh, the build is ready, QA found two bugs, one’s fixed, the other one, the login one, should be done by tomorrow, so we’re still on for Thursday”
Quick update on the launch: the build is ready. QA found two bugs — one is fixed, and the login one should be done by tomorrow. We’re still on for Thursday.
Press a style’s number key while you talk to switch styles before you let go. Free includes 5 style presets; Pro adds unlimited and custom styles.
Tips for Slack
Click into the thread first
Open the thread and click its reply box before you hold the key. Wisper pastes wherever the cursor is — the channel box or the thread.
Mention people with Slack’s picker
Type @ and pick the person from Slack’s list, then hold the key and keep talking.
Teach it your team’s words
Add product names, teammates and acronyms to the Dictionary once, so “Kubernetes” and “Héloïse” come out right every time.
Long update? Go hands-free
Double-tap the hotkey, talk as long as you need, and tap to stop. Useful for a weekly update or a long thread reply.
Questions
Does it work in the Slack app and in the browser?
Yes. Wisper pastes wherever your cursor is, so it works in the Slack app for Mac and in Slack in Safari, Chrome or any other browser.
Does Wisper send the message for me?
No. Wisper pastes the text where your cursor is and stops there. Read it, then send it yourself.
Can I dictate Slack messages in another language?
Yes. Pick an output language with ⌃⌥L or from the Wisper bar, and Wisper translates as you talk, into any of 30 languages (Pro).
Does it work in Slack on my phone?
Yes. On iPhone, use the Wisper keyboard in the Slack app. On Android, the Wisper bubble floats over Slack.