Change keyboard shortcuts

Applies to: Windows, macOS, Linux

In the settings you choose the keys you dictate with and the keys for the other Stenowise functions.

Default shortcuts

For Dictate and Dictate raw, hold the keys down while you speak.

Function	Windows	macOS	Linux
Dictate	`Ctrl` + `Win`	`Control` + `Option`	`Ctrl` + `Super`
Dictate raw	`Ctrl` + `Space`	`Option` + `Space`	`Ctrl` + `Space`
Cancel	`Esc`	`Esc`	from the icon in the notification area
Paste last dictation again	`Alt` + `Shift` + `V`	`Option` + `Shift` + `V`	`Alt` + `Shift` + `V`
Change by voice	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Space`	`Option` + `Cmd` + `Space`	`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Space`
Undo change	`Alt` + `Shift` + `Z`	`Option` + `Shift` + `Z`	`Alt` + `Shift` + `Z`

These shortcuts apply to new installations. An existing installation keeps the shortcuts it already has. The rows Dictate raw, Change by voice and Undo change only appear when text cleanup is switched on.

Change a shortcut

Open Settings › Dictation.
Under Shortcuts, click the row you want to change.
Press the new combination and release the keys. The dialog shows the old shortcut next to “Before”.
Click Apply.

Cancel or Esc closes the dialog without a change. If another program already uses the combination, Stenowise shows “The shortcut could not be set. Try again.” and keeps the previous shortcut.

Cancelling with Esc is fixed. On Linux, this row is missing from the settings.

Reset all shortcuts

Open Settings › Dictation.
Next to Reset shortcuts, click Reset.

Stenowise sets all shortcuts back to the defaults it was installed with on this computer.

macOS

On macOS, the shortcuts only work in other programs when Stenowise has Accessibility access. Switch Stenowise on in System Settings under Privacy & Security › Accessibility.

Last updated 28 September 2026