How to shut off voice on Microsoft Excel 2016

There are a few different “voice” features that can speak in or around Excel 2016. Turn off each one that applies.

1. Turn off Excel’s Text-to-Speech (Speak Cells)

• If Excel is reading out cell contents after entry:
  1. On the Quick Access Toolbar, select the Speak On Enter button so it is not highlighted (this toggles it off).
  2. Or, if a reading is in progress, click Stop Speaking on the Quick Access Toolbar, or click any cell outside the selected range.

2. Turn off Office sound effects

• If the issue is sound cues (clicks, notifications) from Office:
  1. In Excel, go to File > Options.
  2. Select Accessibility or Ease of Access (name depends on version/build).
  3. Under Feedback Options, clear the Provide feedback with sound checkbox.
  4. Select OK.

3. Turn off Narrator (Windows screen reader)

• If Windows Narrator is reading everything on screen, including Excel:
  • Press Ctrl + Windows logo key + Enter to turn Narrator off.

If the sound is coming from Windows in general (system volume), use the speaker icon in the taskbar to lower or mute the system volume instead.

References:

• Converting text to speech in Excel
• Getting started with Office Sounds
• Appendix F: Narrator with Excel
• Enhanced Narrator Support with Excel
• Set up your device to work with accessibility in Microsoft 365