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Create a command

You can create your own custom commands in the Commands Manager.

What are custom commands?

Custom commands allow you to make Dragon work better for you. For example, you might create a command to:

  • Access your favorite website
  • Open a frequently used document
  • Quickly access a frequently used menu item in an application
  • Perform a keyboard shortcut in an application

You can also add Auto-text commands to quickly insert frequently-used text. See Auto-text commands for more.

Creating a custom command

  1. Open the Commands Manager:
    • Click the Dragon menu icon in the menu bar and select Manage Commands...
    • Say Show Commands window.
  2. Click the Add Command button at the bottom of the commands list in the center panel.

A new, blank command will appear in the list, and you will see its information in the Details panel to the right:

Details: new command
  • Command Name: Enter the phrase you want to speak to trigger the command.

Important: To avoid misrecognition and conflicts with existing commands, it is important that you choose a name that is at least two words. Avoid words such as "that," "one," "two," etc.

  • Command Description (Optional): Enter a brief description of the command.
  • Context: Select when you want the command to be available.

To create a new context, click Choose... and select an application in the Open dialog.

  • Type: Select the type of command you want to create.

The fields you see in the panel will change based on the command type you choose.

The basic command types below are easy to create. If you want to create more advanced scripted commands, see Create a command: Advanced.

Bookmark

A Bookmark command jumps to a URL in your default browser.

To create a Bookmark command:

  1. When you select Bookmark in the Type dropdown, you will see the URL field.
  2. Paste the URL you want to access.
  3. Click Save.
ClosedHere's an example

Saying Jump to Nuance opens the URL http://www.nuance.com/index.htm in the default browser:

Details: Bookmark command

You can also create a Bookmark command by saying Create a command for this page while browsing in Safari.

File or Folder

A File or Folder command opens a specified file in its default application, or a folder in the Finder.

  1. When you select File or Folder in the Type dropdown, you will see the Target Path field.
  2. Enter the path, or drag the file or folder from the finder to the Target Path field.
  3. Click Save.
ClosedHere's an example

Saying Open Budget file opens a file called Budget2015.xlsx:

Details: File or Folder command

Menu Item

A Menu Item command selects a specified item in the menu bar of a specified application.

  1. When you select Menu Item in the Type dropdown, you will see the Select a menu item dropdown.

  2. In the dropdown, you will see the menus of your selected context (application). Click the menu and submenus (if needed), then select the item.

    Your selection should appear in the Menu field.

  3. Click Save.
ClosedHere's an example

While using Microsoft Word, saying Add link selects the menu item Hyperlink... in the Insert menu:

Details: Menu Item command

You can access menus in any application by saying Click <menu name> menu. However, you can save time by creating custom Menu Item commands for frequently used items.

Keystroke

A Keystroke command accesses a keyboard shortcut on your Mac or in a specific application.

  1. When you select Keystroke in the Type dropdown, you will see the Keystroke list.
  2. Click Add Keystroke to add a keystroke to the list.
  3. To the right of the Keystroke list, type the key you want to use into the Key field, or select a special character from the dropdown.
  4. Check the modifier keys you want to use.
  5. Click Save.
ClosedHere's an example

While using Microsoft Excel, saying New workbook activates ⌘N, the keyboard shortcut for creating a new workbook:

Details: Keystroke command

You can access any keyboard shortcuts using key commands, such as Press the key combo Command N. However, you can save time by creating custom Keystroke commands for frequently used shortcuts.

Application

An Application command launches a specified application.

To create an Application command:

  1. When you select Application in the Type dropdown, you will see the Application Name field.
  2. Click Choose Application to select an application in the Open dialog.
  3. Click Save.
ClosedHere's an example

Saying Show calculator opens the Calculator application:

Details: Application command

By default, Dragon will generate commands to launch all your applications. However, if you prefer to leave that option unchecked, you can create your own command to access a frequently used application.