Dictating Numbers

There are many ways of dictating and formatting numbers. DNS handles some of them betetr than others. If you do lots of dictating numbers, particularly ones needing specific formatting, some specialized macros can help. But otherwise it pays to learn the rules.

1. Generally, DNS writes out the numbers one through nine. But if it detects a known "measurement" word following the number, it will switch to Arabic numerals. So you must dictate the unit following the number. Don't say "one" <pause> "centimeter" and expect 1 cm. Instead, say "one centimeter" and you'll be happier.

2. To force numerals, say "numeral one", "numeral two", ..."numeral nine."

BUT: DNS 7 has a bug so that sometimes this is written out as in "numeral for." To reduce the frequency of these problems, in the vocabulary editor, add entries:

Written Form	Spoken Form
1	numeral one
2	numeral two
2	numeral too
2	numeral to
3	numeral three
4	numeral four
4	numeral for
5	numeral five
6	numeral six
7	numeral seven
8	numeral eight
8	numeral ate
9	numeral nine

3. Understand that some formatting is governed by the DNS formatting options. Sometimes those options get in the way. For example, if you are a patent lawyer and dictate many 7-digit numbers, then turn off the formatting of phone numbers. Otherwise, you'll start to see patent numbers like "402-5438." Automatic formatting primarily affects 7, 9, and 10-digit numbers (US English).

4. For dictating numbered lists, you can change your habits and say "numeral one period," "numeral two period," ... Or, you can add the following list into Vocabulary Editor:

Written Form	Spoken Form
1.	one period
2.	two period
3.	three period
4.	four period
5.	five period
6.	six period
7.	seven period
8.	eight period
9.	nine period

5. If you dictate lots of numbers with specific formatting, create custom commands for them. For example, if you dictate Social Security numbers, a command that will format them nnn-nn-nnnn can be helpful.

6. Sometimes numbers will appear "two 45" or "123 4" or have similar problems. I don't have good cures for these problems.

7. Sometimes the above solutions still don't seem to work. For example, I have one user file where I've not been able to effectively train "one period" after dozens of attempts. I've had clients who have had the same problems. So I wrote a set of commands for numbered lists. You do have to pause (briefly) before/after the command. Technically there are two commands.

<1to10> period

This command lets you say "1 period", "2 period", ... "10 period" and capitalizes the following word.

<paraline> <1to10> period

This command lets you say a variety of phrases.

<new line|next line|line|new item|next item|item> <1to10> period

to get a new line (one "Enter" key) followed by "1.", "2.", ..."10." and capitalize the following word.

<new paragraph|next paragraph|paragraph> <1to10> period

to get a new paragraph (two "Enter" keys) followed by "1.", "2.", ..."10." and capitalize the following word.

Download .dat file for import (Release 7 Pro/Medical/Legal only)

8. If using Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect, you should create templates that include automatic line numbering. Then, you only need to use "new-paragraph" or "press enter" to get the next numbered item.

9. If you use numbers that have specific formats frequently (e.g. Social Security numbers, dimensions, ...) then writing specific macros to handle number formatting may be in order. The book "Scripting for Dragon NaturallySpeaking 7" has information on how to create such specific macros.

Release 6 Note:

use "and" only between hundreds and tens.

465= "four hundred and sixty five"
674,962= "six hundred seventy four thousand nine hundred AND sixty
two" not "six hundred and seventy....."

Modified May 2003