We’ll start with the physical keyboard method. This applies to using a Chromebook as a laptop or with an external keyboard connected. Basically, any setup that prevents the onscreen keyboard from popping up.

First, click the clock to open the Quick Settings menu, and then select the gear icon to go to the Settings menu.

In the Settings, click “Advanced” to expand the sidebar menu, and then select “Accessibility”

Next, select “Manage Accessibility Features”

Scroll down and toggle the switch on for “Enable Dictation (Speak to Type)”

You’ll immediately see a microphone icon appear next to the clock on the Shelf. Click the icon to start speaking on a message.

A message will tell you that voice input data is sent to Google the first time that you use the voice typing feature. Click “Got It” to proceed.

When the microphone icon is solid, it’s listening. You can now speak, and your voice will be converted to text. When you’re done talking, it will stop listening.

The second method is for when you’re using a Chrome OS device in tablet mode. This happens if your Chromebook simply doesn’t have a keyboard or the keyboard is folded back or detached. All you have to do is tap in a text box to bring up the virtual onscreen keyboard.

Once the keyboard is up, tap the microphone icon.

The first time that you use this feature, a message will tell you that voice input data is sent to Google. Click “Got It” to proceed.

You can now start talking, and your words will appear in the text box. Tap anywhere on the screen to stop the listening.