AutoCorrect Options

Word performs many tasks automatically and some can be most frustrating.  Be the master of these functions by using AutoFormat.  If you go to Tools menu, select AutoCorrect Options, and then select the AutoFormat As You type tab, you'll see a whole list of things that Word will do automatically as you work. A couple of examples are: 1.  Automatic numbered lists (sometimes most irritating):   This happens when you have the number "1" (or another number) at the beginning of a sentence, whether or not you are actually starting a numbered list. If you have the Automatic Numbered Lists check box selected, Word thinks that you're about to start a numbered list and will add a 2, a 3, and so on, at the beginning of each additional sentence. There are two ways to stop this from happening.  You can clear the check box or, after the list starts being numbered, press CTRL + Z to undo it.

2.  Straight quotes and smart quotes: There are two kinds of quotes: straight quotes ( ' or " ) and  smart — or curly or typographer's — quotes (‘ or ”). Select the tab Auto Format As You Type.  When you have the check box selected that says Replace As You type "Straight quotes" with “smart quotes,” every quote you type will be replaced with smart quotes. Once again, if you don’t like it, uncheck that box also.

3.  Automatic spelling correction:  In the AutoCorrect section, next to the word Replace, you can type in common errors that you make when typing.  In the box under the word With, put the correct spelling.  For example, if you often type ‘teh’ instead of  ‘the,’ in the Replace box, type ‘teh’ and in the With box type ‘the.’  Word will automatically replace your typing error.  Make sure you have the Replace text as you type box checked to make this work.

4.  Other tools:  Some of the choices are self-explanatory.  If you want to make sure that the first word of a sentence is capitalized or the first word of any table entry is capitalized, make sure those boxes are checked.