> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.snaply.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Punctuation

> Learn how Snaply handles punctuation in AI dictation for Mac, from automatic cleanup for natural speech to spoken commands for exact, reliable formatting.

Snaply gives [dictation](/dictation/overview) two input styles:

* **Automatic** for natural speech
* **Explicit** when you want to say punctuation and structure out loud

## Choose A Mode

| Mode      | Best for                          | Example input                                 | Example output              |
| --------- | --------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------- |
| Automatic | email, messages, normal prose     | `hello how are you today`                     | `Hello, how are you today?` |
| Explicit  | precise structure, lists, symbols | `hello comma how are you today question mark` | `Hello, how are you today?` |

<Note>
  Explicit punctuation is documented in the app as an English-first workflow. In other languages, Snaply reverts to automatic punctuation behavior.
</Note>

## Automatic Punctuation

* Best for normal prose, messages, and most email dictation
* Works well across English and Multi-language dictation
* Handles capitalization and punctuation for you
* Can format longer email-style dictation when Snaply detects an email

## Explicit Punctuation

* Best for exact line breaks, lists, symbols, and manual formatting
* Lets you speak commands like `comma`, `new line`, or `open parenthesis`
* Does **not** apply automatic email polishing
* Works best in English

## Change The Setting

Go to **Settings -> Dictation -> Punctuation behaviour** and choose **Automatic** or **Explicit**.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings">
    Click on **Settings** in the bottom left corner of Snaply.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/snaply/CBl67I_Qaln208V1/images/open-setttings.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=CBl67I_Qaln208V1&q=85&s=c9aab7ef80ceffb9fe627844f009c0e0" alt="Open Settings" width="2374" height="1506" data-path="images/open-setttings.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Dictation Settings">
    Navigate to the **Dictation** section in the settings menu.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/snaply/CBl67I_Qaln208V1/images/select-dictation-settings.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=CBl67I_Qaln208V1&q=85&s=8f836ff45396360a8948d9acd9d6c857" alt="Select Dictation Settings" width="2386" height="1506" data-path="images/select-dictation-settings.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit Punctuation Behavior">
    Find the **Punctuation** setting and select your preferred mode.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/snaply/CBl67I_Qaln208V1/images/custom-punctuation-behaviour.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=CBl67I_Qaln208V1&q=85&s=787a663bf164840408e09176f01915e3" alt="Edit Punctuation Settings" width="2384" height="1502" data-path="images/custom-punctuation-behaviour.png" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Accordion title="Common explicit commands">
  | Spoken command                           | Result          |
  | ---------------------------------------- | --------------- |
  | `period`, `full stop`, `dot`             | `.`             |
  | `comma`                                  | `,`             |
  | `question mark`                          | `?`             |
  | `exclamation mark`                       | `!`             |
  | `colon`                                  | `:`             |
  | `semicolon`                              | `;`             |
  | `new line`                               | line break      |
  | `new paragraph`                          | paragraph break |
  | `new bullet point`                       | bullet item     |
  | `new numbered list item`                 | numbered item   |
  | `open parenthesis` / `close parenthesis` | `(` / `)`       |
  | `open bracket` / `close bracket`         | `[` / `]`       |
  | `double quote`                           | `"`             |
  | `single quote`                           | `'`             |
  | `slash`                                  | `/`             |
  | `back slash`                             | `\`             |
  | `at sign`                                | `@`             |
  | `ampersand`                              | `&`             |
  | `underscore`                             | `_`             |
</Accordion>

## Practical Advice

* Use **Automatic** unless you need very deliberate structure.
* Use **Explicit** for lists, symbols, or formatting-heavy dictation.
* Brief pauses help Automatic mode place sentence boundaries cleanly.

## Related Pages

* [Back to Dictation overview](/dictation/overview)
* [Choose your dictation language](/dictation/languages)
* [Create snippets for repeated structures](/dictation/snippets)