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Automatically correct spelling and insert text and symbols by using words in a list
 

You can use the AutoCorrect feature to correct typos and misspelled words, as well as to insert symbols and other pieces of text. AutoCorrect is set up by default with a list of typical misspellings and symbols, but you can modify the list that AutoCorrect uses.

  Notes  

  • AutoCorrect can also correct a misspelled word if the word is similar to a word in the main spelling checker dictionary. Find links to more information about this capability in the See Also section.
  • Text included in hyperlinks is not automatically corrected.

What do you want to do?

Understand the AutoCorrect list

You can use the AutoCorrect feature to do the following:

  • Automatically detect and correct typos and misspelled words   For example, if you type teh plus a space, AutoCorrect replaces what you typed with the. Or if you type This is theh ouse plus a space, AutoCorrect replaces what you typed with This is the house.
  • Quickly insert symbols   For example, type (c) to insert ©. If the list of built-in AutoCorrect entries doesn't contain the symbols that you want, you can add entries.
  • Quickly insert any long piece of text   For example, if you need to repeatedly enter a phrase such as return on investment, you can set up the program to automatically enter this phrase when you type roi.

All of these uses of the AutoCorrect feature are supported by two parallel lists of words. The first word is the word that you type, and the second word or phrase is what the program enters to replace that word.

AutoCorrect list

The AutoCorrect list is global across the Office programs that support this feature, which means that when you add or delete a word from the list in one Microsoft Office program, the other Office programs are also affected.

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Add a text entry to the AutoCorrect list

Which 2007 Microsoft Office system program are you using?

Access

  1. Click the Microsoft Office ButtonButton image, and then click Access Options at the bottom of the window.
  2. Click Proofing.
  3. Click AutoCorrect Options.
  4. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  5. In the Replace box, type a word or phrase that you often mistype or misspell — for example, type usualy.
  6. In the With box, type the correct spelling of the word — for example, type usually.
  7. Click Add.

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Excel

  1. Click the Microsoft Office ButtonButton image, and then click Excel Options at the bottom of the window.
  2. Click Proofing.
  3. Click AutoCorrect Options.
  4. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  5. In the Replace box, type a word or phrase that you often mistype or misspell — for example, type usualy.
  6. In the With box, type the correct spelling of the word — for example, type usually.
  7. Click Add.

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OneNote

  1. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

    ShowI can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not available

    A file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.
  2. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  3. In the Replace box, type a word or phrase that you often mistype or misspell — for example, type usualy.
  4. In the With box, type the correct spelling of the word — for example, type usually.
  5. Click Add.

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Outlook

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. Click the Mail Format tab, and then click Editor Options.
  3. Click Proofing, and then click AutoCorrect Options.
  4. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  5. In the Replace box, type a word or phrase that you often mistype or misspell — for example, type usualy.
  6. In the With box, type the correct spelling of the word — for example, type usually.
  7. Click Add.

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PowerPoint

  1. Click the Microsoft Office ButtonButton image, and then click PowerPoint Options at the bottom of the window.
  2. Click Proofing.
  3. Click AutoCorrect Options.
  4. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  5. In the Replace box, type a word or phrase that you often mistype or misspell — for example, type usualy.
  6. In the With box, type the correct spelling of the word — for example, type usually.
  7. Click Add.

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Project

  1. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

    ShowI can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not available

    A file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.
  2. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  3. In the Replace box, type a word or phrase that you often mistype or misspell — for example, type usualy.
  4. In the With box, type the correct spelling of the word — for example, type usually.
  5. Click Add.

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Publisher

  1. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

    ShowI can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not available

    A file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.
  2. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  3. In the Replace box, type a word or phrase that you often mistype or misspell — for example, type usualy.
  4. In the With box, type the correct spelling of the word — for example, type usually.
  5. Click Add.

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Visio

  1. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

    ShowI can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not available

    A file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.
  2. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  3. In the Replace box, type a word or phrase that you often mistype or misspell — for example, type usualy.
  4. In the With box, type the correct spelling of the word — for example, type usually.
  5. Click Add.

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Word

  1. Optionally, if you want to add a formatted text entry, open the document that contains the text that is formatted the way that you want, and select that text.

  2. Click the Microsoft Office ButtonButton image, and then click Word Options at the bottom of the window.
  3. Click Proofing.
  4. Click AutoCorrect Options.
  5. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  6. In the Replace box, type a word or phrase that you often mistype or misspell — for example, type usualy.
  7. In the With box, type the correct spelling of the word — for example, type usually.
  8. Click Add.

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Add a text entry to the AutoCorrect list during a spelling check

If you enable automatic spelling checking, in some Office programs you can right-click a word that you typically misspell and add it directly to the AutoCorrect list.

 Note   This feature is available only in Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, and Visio.

Add word to AutoCorrect list from misspelled word

For more information about the automatic spelling checker and how to turn it on, see Check spelling and grammar.

  1. Right-click a word that has a wavy red underline.
  2. A list of corrections for the misspelled word appears.

    ShowA list of corrections for the misspelled word did not appear

    You can add the word manually. See Add a text entry to the AutoCorrect list.

     Note   Find links to more information about using and troubleshooting the automatic spelling checker in the See Also section.

  3. Point to AutoCorrect on the shortcut menu.
  4. If the menu that is displayed shows the correct spelling of the word, click it. You are finished with this task. If not corrected, continue to the next step.
  5. Click AutoCorrect Options.
  6. On the AutoCorrect tab, in the Replace box, type the word or phrase that you misspelled or mistyped — for example, type usualy.
  7. In the With box, type the correct spelling of the word — for example, type usually.
  8. Click Add.

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Change the contents of a text entry in the AutoCorrect list

Which 2007 Microsoft Office system program are you using?

Access

  1. Click the Microsoft Office ButtonButton image, and then click Access Options at the bottom of the window.
  2. Click Proofing.
  3. Click AutoCorrect Options.
  4. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  5. Click the entry in the list under the With box.
  6. Type the new entry in the With box.
  7. Click Replace.

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Excel

  1. Click the Microsoft Office ButtonButton image, and then click Excel Options at the bottom of the window.
  2. Click Proofing.
  3. Click AutoCorrect Options.
  4. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  5. Click the entry in the list under the With box.
  6. Type the new entry in the With box.
  7. Click Replace.

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OneNote

  1. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

    ShowI can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not available

    A file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.
  2. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  3. Click the entry in the list under the With box.
  4. Type the new entry in the With box.
  5. Click Replace.

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Outlook

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. Click the Mail Format tab, and then click Editor Options.
  3. Click Proofing, and then click AutoCorrect Options.
  4. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  5. Click the entry in the list under the With box.
  6. Type the new entry in the With box.
  7. Click Replace.

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PowerPoint

  1. Click the Microsoft Office ButtonButton image, and then click PowerPoint Options at the bottom of the window.
  2. Click Proofing.
  3. Click AutoCorrect Options.
  4. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  5. Click the entry in the list under the With box.
  6. Type the new entry in the With box.
  7. Click Replace.

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Project

  1. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

    ShowI can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not available

    A file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.
  2. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  3. Click the entry in the list under the With box.
  4. Type the new entry in the With box.
  5. Click Replace.

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Publisher

  1. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

    ShowI can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not available

    A file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.
  2. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  3. Click the entry in the list under the With box.
  4. Type the new entry in the With box.
  5. Click Replace.

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Visio

  1. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

    ShowI can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not available

    A file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.
  2. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  3. Click the entry in the list under the With box.
  4. Type the new entry in the With box.
  5. Click Replace.

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Word

  1. Click the Microsoft Office ButtonButton image, and then click Word Options at the bottom of the window.
  2. Click Proofing.
  3. Click AutoCorrect Options.
  1. Do one of the following in these Microsoft Office programs:
  2. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  3. Click the entry in the list under the With box.
  4. Type the new entry in the With box.
  5. Click Replace.

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Rename a text entry in the AutoCorrect list

Which 2007 Microsoft Office system program are you using?

Access

  1. Click the Microsoft Office ButtonButton image, and then click Access Options at the bottom of the window.
  2. Click Proofing.
  3. Click AutoCorrect Options.
  4. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  5. In the list under the Replace box, click the entry.
  6. Click Delete.
  7. Type a new name in the Replace box.
  8. Click Add.

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Excel

  1. Click the Microsoft Office ButtonButton image, and then click Excel Options at the bottom of the window.
  2. Click Proofing.
  3. Click AutoCorrect Options.
  4. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  5. In the list under the Replace box, click the entry.
  6. Click Delete.
  7. Type a new name in the Replace box.
  8. Click Add.

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OneNote

  1. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

    ShowI can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not available

    A file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.
  2. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  3. In the list under the Replace box, click the entry.
  4. Click Delete.
  5. Type a new name in the Replace box.
  6. Click Add.

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Outlook

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  2. Click the Mail Format tab, and then click Editor Options.
  3. Click Proofing, and then click AutoCorrect Options.
  4. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  5. In the list under the Replace box, click the entry.
  6. Click Delete.
  7. Type a new name in the Replace box.
  8. Click Add.

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PowerPoint

  1. Click the Microsoft Office ButtonButton image, and then click PowerPoint Options at the bottom of the window.
  2. Click Proofing.
  3. Click AutoCorrect Options.
  4. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  5. In the list under the Replace box, click the entry.
  6. Click Delete.
  7. Type a new name in the Replace box.
  8. Click Add.

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Project

  1. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

    ShowI can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not available

    A file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.
  2. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  3. In the list under the Replace box, click the entry.
  4. Click Delete.
  5. Type a new name in the Replace box.
  6. Click Add.

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Publisher

  1. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

    ShowI can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not available

    A file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.
  2. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  3. In the list under the Replace box, click the entry.
  4. Click Delete.
  5. Type a new name in the Replace box.
  6. Click Add.

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Visio

  1. On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

    ShowI can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not available

    A file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.
  2. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  3. In the list under the Replace box, click the entry.
  4. Click Delete.
  5. Type a new name in the Replace box.
  6. Click Add.

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Word

  1. Click the Microsoft Office ButtonButton image, and then click Word Options at the bottom of the window.
  2. Click Proofing.
  3. Click AutoCorrect Options.
  4. On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure the Replace text as you type check box is selected.
  5. In the list under the Replace box, click the entry.
  6. Click Delete.
  7. Type a new name in the Replace box.
  8. Click Add.

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Use AutoCorrect in InfoPath

Microsoft Office InfoPath automatically replaces words by using the global AutoCorrect list. However, it differs significantly from other Microsoft Office programs in the way that it offers this feature:

  • You cannot turn off this feature.
  • You cannot modify the AutoCorrect list by using InfoPath. However, you can modify the list in one of the other Microsoft Office programs (see above sections), and the changes affect InfoPath.

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