Audio Recording Tools in Online Note Taking Apps

Microsoft OneNote

OneNote is a free online note taking application. It is a digital version of a multiple subject notebook or a ring binder with tab dividers. With OneNote, you have one place to keep and organize your notes for each subject using sections and pages. Plus, the application allows you to insert multimedia such as images, videos, and recorded audio.

Fortunately, in OneNote, you can record an audio file of a lecture. At the same time, you can type notes onto a page.

Furthermore, you can handwrite notes using your finger or stylus on a touchscreen (or use a mouse without a touchscreen). If desired, your handwriting can be converted into text.

If you experience anxiety about missing information while writing notes, it may ease your mind to have an audio file to reference.

Audio record in OneNote

1. Right click on a section (tab icon) in the left column of OneNote. Select New Page.
2. Type the topic or title at the top.
3. Place the cursor anywhere on the page.
4. In the menu bar, press Insert.
5. Select Audio. It starts recording immediately.
6. Type notes on the page while recording.
7. Click Stop to stop recording.
8. Press Play to listen to the recording. You may jump 15 seconds forward or backward in the audio file.

Microsoft Support: OneNote Video Training

Microsoft Word

The transcription feature in the Microsoft 365 subscription version of Word can help with note taking. Typically, the Digital Support Tools website focuses on technology tools in the free Microsoft applications. However, this feature is worth mentioning in case you have a subscription.

Under the Dictate button, view the Transcribe button. When you press Transcribe, Word will capture an audio recording of a lecture or conversation.

After the recording is complete, you can press a button for transcription. Both the audio file and text transcription are saved. Therefore, you can review the entire audio or pieces of the audio that correspond to an area of text in the transcription.

Another great feature is the ability to click the plus sign next to a transcription to add piece of text to the Word document. Create notes or a study guide by adding important information to the document.

Watch the demonstration video How to record and transcribe audio in Microsoft Word (365 only) on Microsoft’s Mike Tholfsen YouTube Channel or reference the Microsoft blog article Voice Commands and Transcriptions in Microsoft Word.

Google Keep

Google Keep is a digital version of jotting notes on scrap paper or sticky notes with a good system for organizing and finding notes. Plus, Keep has features that allow you to insert a photo, insert a voice memo, or dictate your thoughts.

Note: The voice memo and dictation feature are only available in the mobile application. However, you can access the notes later in the Keep online version and even transfer the information into a Google Doc to view or edit online.

The Google Workspace Learning Center answers the question “What can you do with Keep?” by saying “Capture ideas with your voice, add images to notes, check tasks off your to-do list, and much more.” Thus, Keep is good for executive functioning tasks – organizing ideas, inserting a photo for memory recall, making a task list.

Yet, Keep has features that may be beneficial for note taking in class; such as, inserting a photo of the whiteboard, converting handwriting into text, and recording audio with text transcription.

Audio record with text transcription (Mobile only)

1. Open the Google Keep mobile application.
2. Press the Plus sign to open a new note.
3. Type a title and place the cursor on the page.
4. Click the Insert button (plus sign inside a square) and select Recording.
5. The words “Speak Now” will appear. Allow the application to record the speaker. (You cannot type notes while recording.)
6. Tap to end the recording.
7. A transcription will appear in the note along with the audio file.
8. Tap the Play button (triangle icon) to listen to the recording.
9. Review the transcribed notes and audio recording in the mobile app or the online version of Keep. In the online version of Keep, you may choose to “Copy to Google Docs” by selecting the More button (three dots). This will export the transcribed text to Docs, not the audio file.

Google Help article: Add notes with your voice (Mobile only)