You may have noticed that Microsoft 365 apps sometimes change what you type automatically, for example correcting words, adjusting capitalisation, or replacing terms as you type. A common example at the University is UoP being changed to Up.

This behaviour is part of how Microsoft 365 supports spelling and writing, but it can occasionally be unhelpful, especially when using organisation-specific terms or abbreviations.

At the moment, there is no central way to manage autocorrect or spellcheck across all Microsoft 365 apps. Each app uses a combination of:

  • Microsoft Editor, which provides cloud-based suggestions
  • App-specific dictionaries
  • Windows typing settings, particularly in Teams

Due to this, changes made in one app do not always apply across others.

The options below can help you manage or reduce unwanted autocorrections depending on how you work.

Dictionary and auto correct settings

Expand the sections below to view the instructions and additional information

Add words to your dictionary

Most Microsoft 365 apps allow you to add words to a custom dictionary so they are no longer corrected. This can be useful for frequently used acronyms, names, or University-specific terms.

Microsoft Outlook

  1. Within a new email or reply, type the problem word, for example UoP. Wait until the red line appears underneath, and do not add any spaces.
  2. When it is underlined or corrected, select the word.
  3. When the dialogue box appears, select the Add to dictionary icon, at the bottom.

You can also manage and add words directly to your personal dictionary in Outlook:

  1. Within a new email or reply, select the Options tab from the ribbon.
  2. Select the Editor dropdown, and choose Personal dictionary.
  3. In the first text box, type the word you want to add.
  4. Select Add to save it to your dictionary.

This area also allows you to view and remove words that have already been added.

Note:

  • This method applies to Outlook only and will not automatically carry across other Microsoft 365 apps. The same Add to dictionary steps, also apply to Microsoft Teams. 
  • This will not disable to auto correct as you type feature. For these instructions, see the Adjust Editor autocorrect settings section below.

Microsoft Office apps

  1. Type the word, for example UoP and wait until the red line appears underneath.
  2. When it is underlined or corrected, right-click the word.
  3. At the top of the list, select Spelling, then choose Add to dictionary.

You can also manage and add words directly to your custom dictionary:

  1. Open any Office desktop app and select File, then choose Options at the bottom of the menu.
  2. Select Proofing.
  3. Within the When correcting spelling in Microsoft Office programs section, select the Custom Dictionaries button. This will show the dictionaries currently in use.
  4. To see the previously saved words, choose the Edit Word List button, in the top right.

This area also allows you to view and remove words that have already been added.

Note: This applies to Office 365 desktop apps and may not automatically carry across all Microsoft 365 apps.

Adjust Editor autocorrect settings

Microsoft 365 apps such as Teams and Outlook use Microsoft Editor to support spelling and writing. This can automatically correct words as you type, which may not always be helpful when using acronyms or specific terms.

You can adjust these settings within each app to reduce or stop automatic corrections.

Microsoft Teams

  1. Open Microsoft Teams settings.
  2. Choose General from the left menu, and navigate to the Editor spellcheck section.
  3. To prevent the automatic correct function, turn off the Correct words while typing toggle.

Microsoft Outlook

  1. Within a new email or reply, select the Options tab from the ribbon.
  2. Select the Editor dropdown, and choose Editor settings.
  3. To prevent the automatic correct function, turn off the Enable auto correct toggle.

Note: These are general settings and will disable all automatic corrections as you type. You will still see prompts for words that may be incorrect and can choose to change them manually.

 

What to expect

  • Different Microsoft 365 apps use different spellcheck and autocorrect systems
  • A change made in one app may not apply in another
  • Teams may behave differently because it also uses Windows typing settings
  • There is currently no single setting that manages this across all apps

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