> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.elateuk.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Dictation

> Speak instead of typing: dictate notes and reports on the web and in the Elate Care app, tidy the wording, and review the text before you save.

Dictation turns what you say into text in the box you are filling in. You always see the words before you save, and you can edit them like anything you typed.

**Who can do this:** anyone whose role includes **AI features**. By default that is every role except Read Only Auditor. Your organisation can change this in **Settings > Permissions**.

<Note>
  This needs the **AI features** module. If you cannot see it, ask your organisation owner. The Elate team turns the module on for your organisation. Your organisation owner can switch AI features off in **Settings > AI**.
</Note>

> Your organisation may use different words for some things, such as "Service users" instead of "Support recipients". Elate shows your organisation's words everywhere, so follow what you see.

## Where you can dictate

* **On the web:** larger text boxes, such as notes, show a **Dictate** button underneath. So does the box where you ask Eli a question.
* **In the Elate Care app:** visit notes, **What happened?** and **Immediate action taken** when you report a concern, **Anything to add?** on an expense, and the "in your own words" answers when you record a dose with the [Medication (eMAR)](/carer-app/recording-medication) module.

If you do not see **Dictate**, your role or organisation does not have AI features, or (on the web) your browser cannot record sound.

## Dictate

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="On the web">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Start">
        Click in the box where you want the words to go, then select **Dictate**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Tell people you are recording">
        You see **Recording is about to start**. Tell everyone present that the conversation is being recorded and transcribed, then select **Start recording**. Select **Cancel** if you change your mind.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Speak">
        A timer shows how long you have been recording. Your words appear as you speak, and **Listening…** shows while Elate waits for you. Words appear where you left the cursor.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Stop">
        Select **Stop**. You see **Transcript added**, or **Tidied with AI** if Elate tidied the wording. Use **Undo tidy-up** to see your own words again.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Finish">
        Read the text, edit anything that is wrong, then select **Done** and save the form as usual.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="In the Elate Care app">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Start">
        Tap **Dictate** under the box.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Tell people you are recording">
        On **Recording is about to start**, tell everyone present, then tap **Start recording**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Speak, then stop">
        Speak, then tap **Stop**. The text appears in the box when you stop, after **Transcribing…**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Review">
        You see **Transcript added. Review it before saving.** Check and edit the text, then save as usual.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

A recording stops automatically at 10 minutes.

If your browser blocks the microphone, Elate tells you to allow it in your browser's site settings. In the app, allow microphone access when your phone asks.

## Tidy the wording

When a box has text in it, you can ask Elate to tidy the spelling and grammar.

1. Select **Tidy text** on the web, or tap **Tidy up** in the app.
2. Elate shows the tidied version under the box.
3. Choose **Apply** to use it, or **Discard** to keep your own words.

Nothing changes until you choose **Apply**. If tidy-up is not available, your text is kept as it is.

## Keep the recording with a note

On the web, when you dictate a note on a visit or on a profile's **Notes** tab, and your role can upload documents, you can choose **Attach recording** after you stop. The recording is saved with the note as an attachment, and you can play it back from there.

Attached recordings are deleted automatically after the number of days your organisation sets in **Settings > AI** (30 days unless changed). The written note is kept. See [AI settings and your data](/ai/ai-settings-and-your-data).

Recordings you do not attach are not kept. On the web, a recording is only uploaded if live transcription fails. In the app, each recording is uploaded so it can be transcribed. These temporary uploads are removed after processing, or within 24 hours if processing fails.

## Related pages

* [AI settings and your data](/ai/ai-settings-and-your-data)
* [Ask Eli](/ai/ask-eli)
* [Delivering a visit](/carer-app/delivering-a-visit)
* [Reporting a concern](/carer-app/reporting-a-concern)


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