Word 2010’s AutoCorrect helps you save time. Not only can you pull from the library of existing words, but you can also add additional words, edit them, or remove them altogether.
So, how does AutoCorrect work exactly? It basically checks the word you’ve typed against the AutoCorrect word list and corrects it automatically. The correction happens as soon as Word recognizes you’ve completed the word. This is signified by pressing the space bar, Tab key, or by adding a punctuation after the typed word.
Microsoft Word works behind the scenes when AutoCorrect is enabled. To unleash the power of AutoCorrect even more, you can add formatted text, sentences, or even full pages of words to the word list! You’ll be surprised what a few keystrokes can do.
Create AutoCorrect for Unformatted Text
Step 1: Select the “File” tab in Microsoft Word and choose “Options.”
Step 2: Select the “Proofing” tab in the Word Options dialog box. Click the “AutoCorrect Options” button. The AutoCorrect dialog box opens to the “AutoCorrect” tab.
Step 3: Place your cursor in the first box under “Replace,” then type the text you want to use to trigger the AutoCorrect. This trigger word may include letters, numbers, characters, or a combination.
Step 4: Place your cursor in the second box, and type the text you want the trigger word replaced with.
Step 5: Click “OK” twice to return to your document. To use the AutoCorrect, skip to the section on “Applying the AutoCorrect.”
Create AutoCorrect for Formatted Text, Sentences or Full Pages of Words
Step 1: Open the Word document that contains the formatted word, sentence, paragraph, or full pages of text that you wish to add. It works on any type of formatted text, including bulleted/numbered lists, colored text, etc., as shown in the diagram below.
Step 2: Highlight the formatted text in your document.
Step 3: Select “File” and “Options.”
Step 4: Select the “Proofing” tab in the Word Options dialog box, and click the “AutoCorrect Options” button. You are automatically directed to the “AutoCorrect” tab in the AutoCorrect dialog box.
The “Formatted text” option is preselected because you highlighted the text on your page. Keep the existing settings.
Step 5: Place your cursor in the first box under “Replace,” and type a trigger word to enable the AutoCorrect. You may use whatever you want here, including letters, numbers, characters, or a combination for the trigger word.
Step 6: The “Add” button is now enabled since you typed a trigger word.
Click the “Add” button to add the formatted text to the list, then click “OK” twice to return to your document.
Applying the AutoCorrect
Step 1: Place your cursor where you want to apply the AutoCorrect.
Step 2: Type the trigger word you added to the library.
Step 3: Press the space bar, “Enter” key or a punctuation to signify you’ve completed the word. The word is automatically replaced with the formatted or unformatted text in your document.
