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Upgrading from Dragon Dictate: FAQ

I just upgraded, what do I need to do now?

  • Be sure to update your Web Extensions. Go to http://www.nuance.com/extensions5 and follow the instructions.
  • Remove the Dragon Dictate 4 icon from your dock. By default, Dragon for Mac 5 doesn't appear in the dock and works differently from Dragon Dictate.
    • Control-click on the Dragon Dictate 4 icon.
    • In the pop-up menu, select Options > Remove from Dock.
  • You can remove the Dragon Dictate 4 Data files to save disk space.
    • In the Finder, select Go to Folder… from the Go menu.
    • Copy and paste the following: /Library/Application Support/Dragon
    • Click the Go button.
    • You can drag the file named Speech Engine Data (English) 4.0 to the Trash.

      • Important: Do not move any other files in the Dragon folder.

  • Dragon creates a folder called Dragon in your Documents folder and automatically places all new profiles in this folder. You can move your existing profiles into this folder or leave your existing profiles where they are.

Where did Dragon go?

Dragon for Mac 5 only appears in the menu bar, not the dock, and is designed to stay running constantly. You no longer need to switch from your current application to Dragon and switch back to use any of Dragon's features. You can even change profiles from the menu bar without ever leaving your application!

To launch Dragon, you can do any of the following:

  • Go to the Applications folder and launch Dragon from there.
  • Go to your Applications folder and drag Dragon to the Dock if you want a quick way to launch it manually.
  • Use Spotlight to search for and launch Dragon.
  • Once Dragon is running, click the Dragon menu icon in the menu bar and select Preferences. In the General panel, check "Launch Dragon at Startup" so that Dragon will always be running, even if you restart your computer.

Where is the Recognition Window?

The Recognition Window in Dragon Dictate 4 has been incorporated into the new Status Window in Dragon for Mac 5. The Status Window shows Correction choices only when you actively correct a word or phrase.

How has the Status Window changed?

Dragon for Mac features a completely new Status Window. You can read more about it here. Here's what you need to know:

  • At the top, the Control area allows you to control the microphone, change recognition modes, start Transcription, and customize the behavior of the Status Window.
  • In the middle, the Information area confirms when you have said a command, such as Caps On.
  • At the bottom, the Guidance area suggests common next steps based on what you're doing right now. Below that are buttons to show Commands and Help.
  • You can show and hide the Information and Guidance areas.
  • When you correct, the Status Window becomes the Correction Window. It changes back when correction is complete.

Where is the Note Pad?

In Dragon Dictate, you could use the Note Pad to edit text and mix talking with typing. In Dragon for Mac 5, Microsoft Word 2011, Microsoft Word 2016, or TextEdit can be used to replace the functionality of the Note Pad.

Dragon for Mac 5 supports Full Text Control in nearly every application, but only Microsoft Word 2011, Microsoft Word 2016, and TextEdit allow you to mix talking and typing.

What we call Full Text Control allows you to use voice to perform direct dictation, selection, correction and cursor movement within text. You can say things like Bold <word>, Insert before <word>, and Select <text>.

Where is the Express Editor?

The Express Editor has been renamed the DragonPad. It has the same features as the Express Editor.

You may find that using TextEdit to edit text and then copying and pasting into another application is a better workflow.

My profile won't upgrade. What can I do?

  • Make sure the microphones listed as audio sources in your profile are connected.
  • If you don't have any custom words, it may be better to try and create a new profile.

What happened to Text Macros?

Text Macros are now Auto-texts. They work just like Text Macros.

You can add an Auto-text by doing either of the following:

  • Click the Dragon menu icon in the menu bar and select Add New Auto-text...
  • Click the Dragon menu icon in the menu bar and select Manage Commands... to open the Commands Manager. Click the Auto-text context at the bottom of the Contexts list, then click the Add Command button at the bottom of the Commands list at the center of the screen.

Existing Auto-texts are listed in the Available Commands window under Auto-texts.