Microsoft Word 2003/2004
AutoCorrect: Automatic Formatting
The AutoFormat As You Type tab provides options for formatting that will occur based on what you type. In some cases, it can streamline formatting by eliminating the need to make choices from Word menus. The AutoFormat tab applies formatting options in conjunction with the AutoFormat command for documents. This document shows you how these features can be turned on/off and how each option affects your Word documents.
- About AutoFormat As You Type
- Using Options on the AutoFormat As You Type Tab
- Using Options on the AutoFormat Tab
About AutoFormat As You Type
The AutoFormat As You Type tab gives you three categories of options: Apply as you type, Replace as you type, and Automatically as you type. Under each option, several options may be selected to activate the desired AutoFormatting features.
Replace As You Type Options
An option is selected and active when a check appears in the checkbox for the option. The formatting that these options represent replaces your text as you type. The following table describes each option:
| Options | What You Type | Replaced with |
|---|---|---|
| Straight quotes with smart quotes |  |
 |
| Ordinals (1st) with superscript |  |
 |
| Windows only: Fractions (1/2) with fraction character |  |
 |
| Hyphens (--) with dash (—) |  |
 |
| *Bold* and _italic_ with real formatting |  |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Internet and network paths with hyperlinks |  |
 |
Apply As You Type Options
An option is selected and active when a check appears in the checkbox for the option. The options on this tab represent formatting that is applied to your text as you type. The following table describes each option:
| Option | What You Type | Formatting Applied |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic bulleted lists |
* Hibbard Humanities Hall [Enter] |
|
| Automatic numbered lists |
1. Hibbard Humanities Hall [Enter] |
|
| Border lines | ---- + [Enter] (three or more hyphens) |
 (thin border) |
| ____ + [Enter] (three or more underscores) |
 (thick border) |
|
| === + [Enter] (three or more equal signs) |
 (double line border) |
|
| Tables | +----+----+----+---- + [Enter] (series of pluses and hyphens) |
 (one column for each pair of plus signs) |
| Built-in heading styles | Reserve Reading + [Enter] + [Enter] |  (Heading 1) |
Automatically As You Type Options
An option is selected and active when a check appears in the checkbox for the option. These options represent style formatting which occurs automatically as you type. The following table describes each option:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Format beginning of list item like the one before it | If the first word in the first item of a bulleted list is bold, the first word in subsequent items will also automatically be bolded as shown here: |
| Windows only: Set left-and first-indent with tabs and backspaces | Increases and decreases left indents when you press [Tab] and [Backspace], respectively |
| Define styles based on your formatting | Word creates a style based on your manual formatting of a paragraph. This style is then accessible from the Style pull-down list on the Formatting toolbar |
Using Options on the AutoFormat As You Type Tab
To select any of the options discussed in this document, use the following instructions:
-
Windows: From the Tools menu, select AutoCorrect Options...
Macintosh: From the Tools menu, select AutoCorrect...
The AutoCorrect dialog box appears. -
Select the AutoFormat As You Type tab
-
Select the desired options
An option is selected and active when a checkmark appears before it. -
When finished, click OK
NOTE: As with any AutoCorrect option, you can override the formatting if you wish. For more information, refer to Overriding AutoCorrect.
Using Options on the AutoFormat Tab
The options on this tab work in conjunction with AutoFormat As You Type. Selections made on this tab will determine what formatting options are automatically applied to your document when AutoFormat is activated. Many of the options are identical to those found on the AutoFormat As You Type tab. This table describes options unique to the AutoFormat tab:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| List styles | Applies list styles to numbered, bulleted, outlines, and other lists. It replaces any numbers or bullets that were inserted manually |
| Other paragraph styles | Applies styles other than for headings and lists (e.g., body text) |
| Preserve styles | Retains the styles you have already applied in your document |
| Windows only: Plain text WordMail documents | Formats WordMail messages when they are opened |
Accessing the AutoFormat tab
-
Windows: From the Tools menu, select AutoCorrect Options...
Macintosh: From the Tools menu, select AutoCorrect...
The AutoCorrect dialog box appears. -
Select the AutoFormat tab
-
Select the desired options
An option is selected and active when a checkmark appears before it. -
When finished, click OK
NOTE: As with any AutoCorrect option, you can override the formatting if you wish. For more information, refer to Overriding AutoCorrect.
