• Home
• Accessibility
• Windows
• Using Mouse & Keyboard
• Keyboard Easier To Use
• Typing Less With MS Word

Typing Less with MS Word

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 becasue 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. Start Microsoft 'Word' and create a new document.
2. Click on the 'Tools' menu or press 'Alt' + 'T'.
3. Click on 'Autocorrect' or press 'A' to open the Autocorrect dialog box. (See Fig 1).
   
   
   Fig 1
   
4. Click in the box titled replace or press 'Alt' + 'R'.
5. Type in the word or abbreviation you want expanded for example 'imho'
6. Click in the next box, titled 'With' or press 'Alt' + 'W'.
7. Type in the correctly spelled word for example 'in my humble opinion'.
8. Click 'Add' , or press 'Alt' + 'A' to add the phrase to Words autocorrect list.
9. Click on 'OK' or press 'Enter' to return to Word.

In Word 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, for example in this case, type in the above address. Then highlight the phrase by clicking and dragging over it, or move the cursor to the end of the phrase and press 'Shift' + 'Ctrl' + 'Home' to select the entire phrase. (See Fig 2).
   
   
   Fig 2
   
3. Click on the 'Tools' menu or press 'Alt' + 'T'.
4. Click on Autocorrect or press 'A' to open the Autocorrect dialog box.
5. Click on the Autotext tab or press 'Ctrl' + 'Tab' until the Autotext tab is at the front. (see Fig 3).
   
   
   Fig 3
   
6. 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' as shown in Fig 3.
7. Click the 'Add' button or press 'Alt' + 'A' to add this autotext entry with the title 'Joe Bloggs' and return to Word.
8. Now in Word 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
   
9. If you press 'Enter' or 'Tab' while the tooltip is being displayed, the Autotext entry will be automatically completed for you.

Note: If this does not work it could be because your computer settings cannot be changed due to local IT policies - contact your local IT support for further help.

Top