Voice to Text for Apple Numbers
Spreadsheet data entry in Apple Numbers shouldn't mean typing into cell after cell. Blurt lets you speak your content directly into any cell, comment, text field, or chart label. Hold a button, say what you need, release. Your words appear exactly where your cursor is. Whether you're entering inventory data, adding comments to explain calculations, labeling charts for presentations, or filling text boxes in templates, your voice becomes your keyboard. Works on macOS for $10/month or $99/year, with a first 1,000 words free.
The Typing Problem
Cell-by-cell data entry turns quick tasks into tedious sessions
You have 150 product entries to add to your inventory spreadsheet. Click cell, type description, tab, type quantity, tab, type location. After 40 minutes your fingers are tired and you're only halfway through. The data exists in your notes or your head but transferring it to Numbers is pure tedium. You start making mistakes. A task that should take 15 minutes drags on for over an hour.
Chart labels never get the detail they deserve
Your quarterly report needs polished charts. Each chart needs a title, axis labels, and descriptive captions. Clicking into each tiny text field and typing 'Revenue by Region Q4 2025 Including New Market Expansion' feels awkward. So you write shorter, less informative labels. Your charts end up with vague titles like 'Revenue' instead of labels that actually explain what the data shows.
Comments explaining formulas get skipped entirely
You built a complex formula that calculates tiered pricing with volume discounts. You should add a comment explaining the logic. But clicking to add a comment, then typing out 'This formula applies 10% discount for orders over 100 units, 15% for over 500, and 20% for over 1000. Discount compounds with seasonal promotions in column H' feels like more work than the formula itself. You skip the documentation.
Text fields in templates go underused
Your Numbers template has text boxes for project descriptions, notes sections, and explanatory paragraphs. These exist because context matters. But typing paragraphs into text fields in a spreadsheet app is clunky. You enter the minimum or leave fields blank. The templates never reach their potential because text entry is a friction point.
Annotating shared spreadsheets becomes a chore nobody wants
Your team shares a Numbers file for project tracking. You need to leave notes explaining status updates, flag concerns, and document decisions. Each annotation requires clicking, typing, and formatting. After adding notes to three rows, you give up and send a separate email instead. The context lives outside the spreadsheet where it belongs inside.
How It Works
Blurt works anywhere you can type in Apple Numbers: cells, comments, text fields, chart labels, table titles, and shape text.
Click into any cell or text field
Position your cursor where you want text to appear. A cell, a comment bubble, a chart title, a text box, or any other editable field.
Hold your hotkey and speak
Press your chosen shortcut and talk naturally. Dictate your data, description, or label. Blurt handles punctuation automatically from your natural speech.
Release and continue working
Your text appears at the cursor. Tab to the next cell, click another field, or keep working. No confirmation dialogs, no extra steps.
Real Scenarios
Entering cell content without typing
You're building an inventory spreadsheet from a physical stock count. Click the description cell, hold your hotkey, say 'Organic cold-pressed olive oil, 750ml bottle, imported from Italy, best before March 2026.' Release. Tab to quantity. Hold, say '24 units.' Release. Tab to location. Hold, say 'Warehouse B, shelf 3, row 7.' Three cells filled in 12 seconds. Your eyes stay on your notes instead of hunting keys.
Adding comments to cells
Your budget spreadsheet shows an unusual spike in Q3. Right-click the cell, add comment, hold your hotkey and say 'This includes the one-time equipment purchase approved in the June board meeting. Exclude this line item when calculating monthly averages. Reference purchase order 4521.' A detailed explanation in 6 seconds. Anyone reviewing the spreadsheet understands the context instantly.
Labeling charts for presentations
Your sales report includes four charts. Each needs clear titles and labels. Click the chart title, hold button, say 'Regional Sales Performance Q4 2025 Compared to Previous Year.' Click the Y-axis label, hold, say 'Revenue in thousands of dollars.' Click the caption area, hold, say 'Note: Northeast region excludes pending contracts closing in January.' Professional, descriptive labels in seconds.
Filling text boxes in templates
You're using a project proposal template with a description section. Click the text box, hold your hotkey: 'This project aims to modernize the customer onboarding workflow by implementing automated verification steps. Expected completion is Q2 2026 with an estimated cost savings of 40 hours per month in manual processing time.' A full paragraph entered at speaking speed, not typing speed.
Documenting formulas for team understanding
You created a formula that calculates commission based on multiple factors. In an adjacent cell or comment, hold button and speak: 'Commission formula uses base rate of 5% modified by tenure multiplier in column D and quarterly performance bonus from the Bonuses sheet. Does not include referral bonuses which are handled separately.' The formula becomes understandable to your whole team.
Building a contact database with addresses
You're entering client contact information. Each row needs full addresses and notes. Hold, speak: '1847 Commerce Drive, Suite 200, San Francisco, California, 94107.' Tab. Hold: 'Primary contact is Jennifer Walsh, VP of Operations, prefers email over phone.' Text-heavy data entry happens at conversation speed instead of hunt-and-peck speed.
Adding table titles and section headers
Your multi-table Numbers document needs clear organization. Click the table title field, hold your hotkey: 'Q4 2025 Sales by Product Category Including Returns and Adjustments.' Click a text box header, hold: 'Notes on Methodology and Data Sources.' Each section gets proper labels without the friction of typing in small fields.
Why Apple Numbers users choose Blurt over other voice input methods
| Blurt | macOS Dictation | |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Single hotkey, instant | Double-tap Fn or menu selection |
| Cell navigation | Stay in keyboard workflow | Dictation mode interrupts navigation |
| Punctuation | Automatic from natural speech | Must say 'comma' 'period' manually |
| Chart labels | Works in all text fields | Inconsistent in UI elements |
| Speed | Hold, speak, release, done | Activate, wait, speak, wait, stop |
| Privacy | Audio processed, never stored | May send audio to Apple servers |
Frequently Asked Questions
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