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FloWords

Your First Recording

Let’s create your first transcription! This guide will walk you through the basics.

Before You Start

Section titled “Before You Start”

Make sure you have:

Step-by-Step Guide

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  1. Open a text field

    Click anywhere you want to type - a document, text editor, email, chat, etc.

  2. Press your trigger key

    The default trigger is F5. You’ll see the FloWords recorder appear.

  3. Speak naturally

    Talk at a normal pace. You’ll see the audio visualizer respond to your voice.

  4. Press the trigger again

    This stops recording. FloWords will transcribe your speech.

  5. See your text appear

    The transcription is automatically pasted where your cursor was!

Recording Modes

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FloWords supports two recording modes:

How it works:

  • Press trigger once → Start recording
  • Press trigger again → Stop recording and paste

Best for:

  • Longer dictation
  • When you need both hands free
  • Thoughtful, paced speaking

The Recorder Interface

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When you start recording, you’ll see one of two recorder styles:

Mini Recorder

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A compact floating panel that shows:

  • Recording time
  • Audio level visualizer
  • Current model name

Position options: Top-left, Top-center, Top-right, Bottom-left, Bottom-center, Bottom-right

Notch Recorder

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For MacBook Pro with notch - integrates elegantly with your display.

Tips for Better Results

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Speak Clearly

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  • Use a normal speaking voice
  • Don’t speak too fast
  • Pronounce words clearly

Reduce Background Noise

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  • Use a quiet environment
  • Consider a headset microphone
  • Close windows/doors if possible

Use Punctuation Commands

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Say these to add punctuation:

  • “Period” → .
  • “Comma” → ,
  • “Question mark” → ?
  • “Exclamation point” → !
  • “New paragraph” → ¶

Add Technical Terms

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If FloWords misses specialized terms:

  1. Go to Settings > Dictionary
  2. Add your custom vocabulary
  3. FloWords will learn your terminology

What to Try Next

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Now that you’ve made your first recording, explore these features:

Transcribe an Audio File

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  1. Go to File > Transcribe Audio File (or drag & drop)
  2. Select a WAV, MP3, M4A, or video file
  3. Watch FloWords transcribe it

Try AI Enhancement

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  1. Go to Settings > Enhancement
  2. Enable AI Enhancement
  3. Add your OpenAI, Anthropic, or Ollama API key
  4. Select an enhancement prompt
  5. Your next transcription will be AI-polished!

Troubleshooting First Recording

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Nothing happens when I press the trigger

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  • Check that FloWords is running (look for menu bar icon)
  • Verify Accessibility permission is granted
  • Try a different trigger key

Recording starts but no text appears

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  • Make sure you’re clicked into a text field
  • Check that Accessibility permission is enabled
  • Try the manual copy option in Settings

Transcription is inaccurate

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  • Try a larger model (Small or Medium)
  • Check you’ve selected the correct language
  • Reduce background noise
  • Speak slightly slower

Audio visualizer doesn’t respond

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  • Check Microphone permission
  • Verify correct audio input is selected in Settings
  • Test your microphone in another app

Next Steps

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Great job on your first recording! Here’s what to explore next: