Listen to PDF and Word files
Too many PDFs to get through and your eyes are tired? Upload the file and listen instead. SayText splits it into sentences, reads it aloud and highlights the sentence it is reading in yellow.
SayText turns PDF, Word (docx and doc), RTF, TXT and Markdown (md) files into text it can read. It even works out the reading order of PDFs laid out in two columns.
Files are converted inside your browser and the original file is never sent to the server. Only the extracted text is saved to your list of texts.
How to do it
- Open saytext.app in Microsoft Edge and sign in for free.
- Tap '⇪ Upload file' next to '＋ New text' and choose a PDF or Word file (you can pick several at once).
- When the text appears as sentences, tap the sentence you want to hear. Reading starts from there straight away.
- Choose a speed from 1.0× to 2.0×. Changes apply instantly, even while it is reading.
Sound plays in the Microsoft Edge browser (free on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android). If you open SayText in Chrome or Safari, it shows you how to open it in Edge.
Good to know
- Scanned PDFs (where you cannot select the words) contain images, not text, so they cannot be read. If you can drag to select the text, it will work.
- Delete lines you do not need to hear, such as headers and page numbers, with 'Edit' for a cleaner listen.
- SayText remembers where you stopped in each text, so ▶ picks up from there next time.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay?
No. SayText is free. Uploading files just needs a free account.
Which files can I upload?
PDF, docx, doc, rtf, txt and md. For Pages or Google Docs, export as PDF or docx first.
Is my file stored on a server?
The original file is never sent. Only the text taken from it is saved to your account, and you can delete it at any time.
Without signing in you can listen to up to 1,000 characters right away. Create a free account to remove the length limit and to upload files, save MP3s, loop passages and pick up on any device.