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Typing Less With MS Word 2002

Explains how the autocorrect and autotext features in Word can be used to help you type less.

Introduction
Many people would like not to have to type their name and address every time they write a letter, or repeat a phrase they find themselves typing over and over again especially if they use alternative keyboards or special input methods to type because this can often be slower than using a standard keyboard.

MS Word's autocorrect and autotext features can help save valuable time and help reduce the amount of keys you need to press.

This page shows you how to create and retrieve autocorrect and autotext entries.

Autocorrect
Although Autocorrect is often used to correct spelling mistakes it can also be used to reduce the amount you need to use the keyboard. As an example, we’ll add the acronym ' imho' for 'in my humble opinion' .

1. Click on the 'Tools' menu (no keyboard shortcut).
2. Click on 'Autocorrect' to open the Autocorrect dialog box. (see Fig 1). (No keyboard shortcut).
   
   
   
   Fig 1
   
3. Type in the word or abbreviation you want expanded for example 'imho'.
   
   
4. Click in the next box, titled 'With' or press 'Tab'.
5. Type in the correctly spelled word for example 'in my humble opinion'.
6. Click on 'OK' or press 'Enter' twice to return to Word.
7. Should you ever want to write 'in my humble opinion' now, you can just type 'imho' and it will be expanded when you press 'Enter' or the 'Spacebar'.

Autotext
As an example, we will add the address:

"Joe Bloggs 123 Any Street Townsville"

1. Start Word with a blank document.
2. Type the phrase you want to create an autotext entry for into Word in this case, type in the above address.
3. Then highlight the phrase by clicking and dragging over it, or move the cursor to the end of the phrase and press 'Shift' + 'Alt ' + the 'arrow keys' to select the entire phrase. (see Fig 2).
   
   
   Fig 2
   
4. Now you can press 'Alt ' + 'F3' to bring the Autocorrect dialog box with the Autotext page at the front, or Click on the 'Tools' menu then click on 'Autocorrect' then on 'Autotext' (see Fig 3).
   
   
   Fig 3
   
5. You should see that the address you typed in is displayed in the 'Preview' box of the Autotext 'Tab' and that Word has suggested a title for your autotext entry, in this case 'Joe Bloggs'. Click the 'Add' button or press 'Enter' twice to add this autotext entry with the title 'Joe Bloggs' and return to Word.
6. Now type in the autotext entry you wish to display, in this case Joe Bloggs. You will notice as you are typing that a tool tip will appear showing you the autotext. (See Fig 4).
   
   
   Fig 4
   
7. If you press 'Enter' or 'Tab' while the tooltip is being displayed, the Autotext entry will be automatically completed for you.

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