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Microsoft Word makes automatic corrections, such as capitalizing the first letter of a sentence or automatically creating a list, to save you time. However, if you don't want the correction, it can be frustrating and time consuming to back up to redo the text the way you want it or to try to figure out how to turn AutoCorrect options off.

In Word, you're in charge of automatic corrections: You can quickly undo a correction or turn AutoCorrect options on or off by clicking the "smart tag" AutoCorrect Options button in your document.

Using the AutoCorrect Options button

The AutoCorrect Options button first appears in your document as a small, blue box when you rest the mouse pointer near text that was automatically corrected, and it changes to a button icon when you point to the blue box.

AutoCorrect Options button

Just click the button to make a selection to undo the correction or to control AutoCorrect options.

Note  When the small, blue box is visible, you can also press ALT+SHIFT+F10 to display the "smart tag" button menu.

Turning off AutoCorrect options

If you decide that you don't want to see AutoCorrect Options buttons in your document, click AutoCorrect Options on the Tools menu, and then clear the Show AutoCorrect Options buttons check box.

Note  The "smart tag" AutoCorrect Options button is also used in the following Microsoft Office XP programs. However, the function of the button may vary in the different programs.

• Microsoft Excel 2002
• Microsoft Outlook® 2002 (if Word 2002 is enabled as your e-mail editor)
• Microsoft PowerPoint® 2002
• Microsoft Publisher 2002

For more information about AutoCorrect or about other types of smart tags, see the Help in your Office XP program.

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