It sounds like a focus problem.
I don't have a good fix for you but have found that changing focus away from
Word and then back will usually convince the system that it can do dictation.
This appears to be what you are doing when you open help, but I have found
changing focus to any window usually works.
Good luck.

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> I can use dictation without problem in the spreadsheet and database
> applications in Works 8.0 and Internet Explorer. However I am unable to
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Command tab works normally in all applications I mentioned. Already
> re-installed Word.
Pablo - 26 Nov 2007 20:03 GMT
Thanks for advice. However have tried that and rest of FAQs on the Microsoft
website under the topic. I have even closed the Help dialogue box in the
right corner but still not working. Also speech recognition will activate
from both the Dictation and Speech Recognition tabs within Word. If I close
Word and open Internet Explorer, for example, Dictation starts to work.
> It sounds like a focus problem.
>
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> > Command tab works normally in all applications I mentioned. Already
> > re-installed Word.
Fil Alleva [Microsoft] - 29 Nov 2007 03:03 GMT
Can you tell me what version of Windows you are using? Are you possibly
using a tablet?

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This post provide "as is" and confers no rights or warranties.
> Thanks for advice. However have tried that and rest of FAQs on the Microsoft
> website under the topic. I have even closed the Help dialogue box in the
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> > > Command tab works normally in all applications I mentioned. Already
> > > re-installed Word.
Pablo - 29 Nov 2007 22:36 GMT
I am using Windows XP (service pack 2). No, not using a Tablet PC.
Microsoft Works version 8
> Can you tell me what version of Windows you are using? Are you possibly
> using a tablet?
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> > > > Command tab works normally in all applications I mentioned. Already
> > > > re-installed Word.