Microsoft Word 2007
AutoCorrect: AutoFormat As You Type
The AutoFormat As You Type tab provides options for formatting that occurs automatically based on what you type. Using this feature can minimize the need to apply changes from the Ribbon. AutoFormat As You Type provides three categories of options: Replace as you type, Apply as you type, and Automatically as you type. In each category, several options may be selected to activate the desired features.The following document shows you how these features can be turned on/off and how each option affects your Word documents.
- Accessing the AutoFormat As You Type Tab
- Replace as You Type Options
- Apply as You Type Options
- Automatically as You Type Options
Accessing the AutoFormat As You Type Tab
-
From the OFFICE BUTTON
, click WORD OPTIONS
The Word Options dialog box opens
-
In the Categories pane, select Proofing
-
In the AutoCorrect options section, click AUTOCORRECT OPTIONS...
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. -
To exit the AutoCorrect dialog box, click OK
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 |  |
 |
| Fractions (1/2) with fraction character |  |
 |
| *Bold* and _italic_ with real formatting |  |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Internet and network paths with hyperlinks |  |
 |
| Ordinals (1st) with superscript |  |
|
| Hyphens (--) with dash (—) |  |
 |
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] |
|
| 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) |
|
| Built-in heading styles | Reserve Reading + [Enter] + [Enter] |  (Heading 1) |
| Automatic numbered lists |
1. Hibbard Humanities Hall [Enter] |
|
| Tables | +-+--+---+----+ [Enter] (series of pluses and hyphens) |
 (one column for each pair of plus signs; number of hyphens determins width) |
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 list describes each option:
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:
Set left-and first-indent with tabs and backspaces
Increases and decreases left indents when you press [Tab] and [Backspace], respectivelyDefine 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
