Automatically correct spelling with words from the main dictionary

You can set up your program to automatically correct misspelled words that are similar to words in the main dictionary that the spelling checker uses.

Note Text included in hyperlinks is not automatically corrected.What do you want to do?

Enable AutoCorrect to use the main dictionary that the spelling checker uses

Specify an AutoCorrect exception manually

Specify an exception automatically when you undo an AutoCorrect change

Enable AutoCorrect to use the main dictionary that the spelling checker uses

When you install Microsoft Office, AutoCorrect is set by default to try to match and correct a misspelled word with a word in the main dictionary that the spelling checker uses. However, if you want to make sure this option is enabled.

1. Do one of the following in these Microsoft Office programs:

   Word

   1. Click the Microsoft Office Button , and then click Word Options.
   2. Click Proofing.
   3. Click AutoCorrect Options.

   Publisher

   • On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

     I can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not availableA file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.

   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.
2. On the AutoCorrect tab, select the Automatically use suggestions from the spelling checker check box.

Specify an AutoCorrect exception manually

AutoCorrect may cause a problem for you if you regularly use a word that is not in the main dictionary but is similar to a word in the main dictionary. You can fix this problem by adding the word to the AutoCorrect Exceptions list.

Notes:

• When you add a word to the Exceptions list, the word is also added to the default custom dictionary in the spelling checker.
• The Exceptions list is global across the Office programs that support this feature, which means that any change you make to this list in one program also affects the other programs.

1. Do one of the following in these Microsoft Office programs:

   Word

   1. Click the Microsoft Office Button , and then click Word Options.
   2. Click Proofing.
   3. Click AutoCorrect Options.

   Publisher

   • On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

     I can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not availableA file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.

   Outlook

   1. On the Tools menu, click Options, click the Mail Format tab, and then click Editor Options.
   2. Click Proofing, and then click AutoCorrect Options.
2. On the AutoCorrect tab, click Exceptions, and then click the Other Corrections tab.
3. Type the misspelled word in the Don't correct box.
4. Click Add, and then click OK.

Specify an exception automatically when you undo an AutoCorrect change

If AutoCorrect makes an unwanted correction when you are editing a document, you can undo it by pressing CTRL+Z. You can also set up your program so that it automatically adds the word to the Exceptions list when you undo an AutoCorrect change. After you do this, AutoCorrect stops changing that word.

Note The Exceptions list is global across the programs that support this feature, which means that any change you make to this list in one Office program also affects the other programs.

1. Do one of the following in these Microsoft Office programs:

   Word

   1. Click the Microsoft Office Button , and then click Word Options.
   2. Click Proofing.
   3. Click AutoCorrect Options.

   Publisher

   • On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options.

     I can't click AutoCorrect Options because it is not availableA file must be open before you can click AutoCorrect Options. Create or open a file to make this command available.

   Outlook

   1. On the Tools menu, click Options, click the Mail Format tab, and then click Editor Options.
   2. Click Proofing, and then click AutoCorrect Options.
2. On the AutoCorrect tab, click Exceptions, and then click the Other Corrections tab.
3. Select the Automatically add words to list check box.

See also:

• Automatically correct capitalization
• Automatically correct spelling and insert text and symbols by using words in a list
• Use custom dictionaries to add words to the spelling checker