Description of auto features and how to turn them off in Word for Mac (287911)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2004 for Mac
  • Microsoft Word X for Mac
  • Microsoft Word 2001 for Macintosh
This article was previously published under Q287911

SUMMARY

This article describes the auto features that run in the background in Microsoft Word for Mac and explains how to turn them off.

MORE INFORMATION

AutoCorrect

This feature monitors typing and automatically corrects common errors, without your intervention. The AutoCorrect options are as follows:
  • Correct TWo INitial CApitals
  • Capitalize first letter of sentences
  • Capitalize names of days
  • Replace text as you type
To turn off an option, click AutoCorrect on the Tools menu, click the AutoCorrect tab, and then click to clear the check box for that option.

AutoFormat As You Type

This feature monitors typing and applies various types of text formatting automatically, without your intervention. The options are as follows:

Apply as you type:
  • Headings
  • Borders
  • Tables
  • Automatic bulleted lists
  • Automatic numbered lists
Replace as you type:
  • "Straight quotes" with "smart quotes"
  • Ordinals (1st) with superscript
  • Symbol characters (--) with symbols (-)
  • Bold and italic with real formatting
  • Internet paths with hyperlinks
Automatically as you type:
  • Format the beginning of list item like the one before it
  • Define styles based on your formatting
To turn off any one of these options, click AutoCorrect on the Tools menu, click the AutoFormat As You Type tab, and then click to clear the check box for each option that you want to turn off.

AutoText

This feature monitors typing and automatically shows you an AutoComplete tip for AutoText and dates, without your intervention. The AutoText option for Microsoft Word 2001 for Macintosh is as follows:
  • Show AutoComplete tip for AutoText, Address Book Contacts, and dates
To control this option, click AutoCorrect on the Tools menu, click the AutoText tab, and then click to clear the check box to turn the option off. Additionally, you can access this option if you point to AutoText on the Insert menu and then click AutoText.

In Microsoft Word X for Mac and Microsoft Word 2004 for Mac, there additional AutoText options. They are as follows:
  • Exclude contacts
  • Include courtesy title when inserting contacts
  • Include suffix when inserting contacts
  • Include labels when inserting phone numbers
To control these options, click AutoCorrect on the Tools menu, click the AutoText tab, and then click to clear the check box for each option that you want to turn off. Additionally, you can access these options if you point to AutoText on the Insert menu and then click AutoText.

AutoFormat

This feature provides additional settings for document formatting. The options are as follows:

Apply
  • Headings
  • Lists
  • Automatic bulleted lists
  • Other paragraphs
Replace
  • "Straight quotes" with "smart quotes"
  • Ordinals (1st) with superscript
  • Symbol characters (--) with symbols (-)
  • Bold and italic with real formatting
  • Internet paths with hyperlinks
Preserve
  • Styles
To control these options, click AutoCorrect on the Tools menu, click the AutoFormat tab, and then click to clear the check box for each option that you want to turn off.

Spelling and Grammar

While you type, this feature marks misspelled words with a red underline and grammar errors with a green underline. The Spelling and Grammar options are as follows.

Spelling:
  • Check spelling as you type
Grammar:
  • Check grammar as you type
To control these options in Word 2001 for Macintosh, click Preferences on the Edit menu, and then click the Spelling and Grammar tab. To control these options in Word X for Mac and in Word 2004 for Mac, click Preferences on the Word menu, and then click Spelling and Grammar. Editing these features allows you to do the following:
  • Replace any selected item with the next character typed.
  • When using the mouse to select text, select entire words only.
  • Automatically adjust the spaces before and after a cut or paste operation.
  • Monitor typing and change the left paragraph indent under certain circumstances.

Edit

The Edit options are as follows:
  • Typing replaces selection
  • When selecting, automatically select entire word
  • Use smart cut and paste
  • Tabs and backspace set left indent
To control these options in Word 2001 for Macintosh, click Preferences on the Edit menu, click the Edit tab, and then click to clear the check box for each option that you want to turn off. To control these options in Word X for Mac and in Word 2004 for Mac, click Preferences on the Word menu, click the Edit tab, and then click to clear the check box for each option that you want to turn off.

General

These features do the following:
  • Automatically update links opening a file
  • Periodically repaginate the document in normal view
  • Warn about macros in a document that is being opened
The General options are as follows:
  • Background repagination (only available in normal view)
  • Update automatic links at Open
  • Macro virus protection
  • Show Project Gallery at startup

    Note In Word 2004 for Mac, Macro security is located on the Security tab.
To control these options in Word 2001 for Macintosh, click Preferences on the Edit menu, click the General tab, and then click to clear the check box for each option that you want to turn off. To control these options in Word X for Mac and in Word 2004 for Mac, click Preferences on the Word menu, click the General tab, and then click to clear the check box for each option that you want to turn off.

Print

This feature automatically updates fields and links when you are printing or using the print preview option. The printing options are as follows:
  • Update fields
  • Update links
To control these options in Word 2001 for Macintosh, click Preferences on the Edit menu, click the Print tab, and then click to clear the check box for each option that you want to turn off. To control these options in Word X for Mac and in Word 2004 for Mac, click Preferences on the Word menu, click the Print tab, and then click to clear the check box for each option that you want to turn off.

Save

These features automatically do the following:
  • Save a backup copy of a file
  • Append changes to the end of the file rather than rewriting the entire file
  • Save the data only for forms
  • Determine the default file format to save in
  • Create a temporary backup file in case the computer stops responding
The Save options are as follows:
  • Always create backup copy
  • Allow fast saves
  • Save data only for forms
  • Save Word files as
  • Save AutoRecover info every n minutes
To control these options in Word 2001 for Macintosh, click Preferences on the Edit menu, click the Save tab, and then click to clear the check box for each option that you want to turn off. To control these options in Word X for Mac and in Word 2004 for Mac, click Preferences on the Word menu, click the Save tab, and then click to clear the check box for each option that you want to turn off.

REFERENCES

For more information about each feature, click the Office Assistant, type the feature name in the query area of the Office Assistant, and then click Search.

You can find additional information in Word for Mac Help. You can access Word for Mac Help on the Help menu. In Word X for Mac and in Word 2004 for Mac, you can move your pointer over each feature to reveal its explanation at the bottom of the Preferences window.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:2/10/2005
Keywords:kbinfo KB287911
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