Version 2.0           Updated 2 Oct 2017           Approx 0.7 MB

This is a simple application to show text to speech can be added to an Access database.
It follows on from the Speaking Clock example app which is also available elsewhere on this website.

Click on a button and the sample text will be converted to speech
You can also enter your own text and get that played back ...

I have found text to speech works well in almost all cases. Occasionally words may be mispronounced where there is alternative pronunciation used way depending on context e.g. live, sow.

Long words like antidisestablishmentarianism or supercalifragilisticexpialidocous are handled perfectly with no problems

It even makes a pretty good attempt at complex words like otorhinolaryngologist which I struggle to say

Of course the real fun is trying to get it to mispronounce words . . . or to swear at you!

There are some worthwhile business reasons for using text to speech in your Access apps:
For example, providing assistance for those with poor sight.

If you click the checkbox at the bottom of the form, the control tip text for e.g. a button will be spoken when the mouse is moved over the button.
Unless you do have poor sight, you will probably want to switch that feature off again fairly quickly.

NOTE:
The application requires the Microsoft Speech Object Library reference which has been in all versions of Windows since XP if not before.
If the reference is missing, check you have Speech Recognition enabled in Windows Control Panel / Settings

IMPORTANT:
Make sure there are no spaces in the file path used for this database
This is required for the text to speech feature to work correctly

Click to download:  Text To Speech    (zipped)



For more examples of text to speech in Access, see these example apps elsewhere on this website:

      A Speaking Clock

      An Attention Seeking Database     (Customised Message Form + Timer example)

      Translate & Speak



Colin Riddington           Mendip Data Systems                 Last Updated 2 Oct 2017