How to enable, disable, or add text to Microsoft Word AutoText

Microsoft Word provides a feature called AutoText that allows users to quickly type common words or phrases. As a user starts to type, Microsoft Word may show a box next to the cursor with completed versions of what is being typed. By pressing the Tab key, users can have Word automatically complete the text they were typing with the suggested word or phrase.

If you prefer to turn off the AutoText feature, it can be disabled. To turn AutoText on, it can be re-enabled at any time. Microsoft Word also lets you create custom AutoText entries for words and phrases you commonly type.

Click a link below for steps to enable or disable AutoText, add custom AutoText, and remove an AutoText entry.

Enable and disable Microsoft Word AutoText

To enable or disable the Microsoft Word AutoText, select your version of Microsoft Word below and follow the steps.

Microsoft Word 2010 and later

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click the File tab.
3. Click Options.
4. In the Word Options window, click the Proofing option.
5. Click the AutoCorrect Options button.
6. In the AutoCorrect window, click the AutoCorrect tab if not already selected.
7. Check or uncheck the box for the Replace text as you type option, to enable or disable AutoText.

Microsoft Word 2007

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click the Office button in the top-left corner.
3. Click Options.
4. In the Word Options window, click the Proofing option.
5. Click the AutoCorrect Options button.
6. In the AutoCorrect window, click the AutoCorrect tab.
7. Check or uncheck the box for the Replace text as you type option, to enable or disable AutoText.

Microsoft Word 2003 and earlier

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click Format in the menu bar.
3. Click AutoFormat.
4. Click the Options button.
5. Click the AutoText tab.
6. Check or uncheck the Show Autocomplete tip for AutoText and dates option, to enable or disable AutoText boxes.

Add custom AutoText

If you have a common word or phrase you want to add to AutoText, select your version of Microsoft Word below and follow the steps.

Microsoft Word 2010 and later

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click the File tab.
3. Click Options.
4. In the Word Options window, click the Proofing option.
5. Click the AutoCorrect Options button.
6. In the AutoCorrect window, on the AutoCorrect tab, check the box for Replace text as you type.
7. In the Replace text box, type the beginning of the word you want to be replaced with AutoText.
8. In the With text box, type the word you want to be the replacement text.
9. Click the Add button.

The steps above only allow you to enter a simple single word or a phrase with a few words. To create an AutoText with multiple lines of text and have it appear exactly how you typed it in Microsoft Word, follow the steps below.

1. Type the text in Microsoft Word exactly how you want it to appear in your AutoText.
2. Highlight all the text.
3. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon menu.
4. In the Text section, click the Quick Parts option.
5. Click the AutoText option.
6. Click Save Selection to AutoText Gallery.

Microsoft Word 2007

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click the Office button in the top-left corner.
3. Click Options.
4. In the Word Options window, click the Proofing option.
5. Click the AutoCorrect Options button.
6. In the AutoCorrect window, click the AutoCorrect tab.
7. Check the box for the Replace text as you type option.
8. In the Replace text box, type the beginning of the word you want to be replaced with AutoText.
9. In the With text box, type the word you want to be the replacement text.
10. Click the Add button.

The steps above only let you enter a simple single word or a phrase with a few words. To create an AutoText with multiple lines of text and have it appear exactly how you typed it in Microsoft Word, follow the steps below.

First, you must add the AutoText option to the Quick Access Toolbar.

1. Click the Office button in the top-left corner.
2. Click Options.
3. Click Customize.
4. Under Choose commands from, click All Commands.
5. In the list of commands, find and select the AutoText command, then click the Add button.

Now you can add the larger AutoText entry.

1. Type the text in Microsoft Word exactly how you want it to appear in your AutoText.
2. Highlight all the text.
3. In the Quick Access Toolbar, click the AutoText option.
4. Click Save Selection to AutoText Gallery .

Microsoft Word 2003 and earlier

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click Format in the menu bar.
3. Click AutoFormat.
4. Click the Options button.
5. Click the AutoText tab.
6. In the Enter AutoText entries here field, type the common text or phrase you want to have displayed in AutoText. For example, you could type Computer Hope.
7. Click the Add button after you have finished typing your text.

Following the steps above only let you enter a simple single word or a phrase with a few words. What if you want an AutoText to have multiple lines of text, different formatting, etc.?

To create an AutoText with multiple lines of text and have it appear exactly how you typed it in Microsoft Word, follow the steps below.

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Type the text in Microsoft Word exactly how you want it to appear in your AutoText.
3. Highlight all the text.
4. Press Alt+F3.
5. The Create AutoText window opens, asking for a name you want to use for your AutoText. Type the name you want to use for this text and click OK.

Removing an AutoText entry

If there is default AutoText you want removed or you created an AutoText entry you no longer want to use, select your version of Microsoft Word below and follow the steps.

Microsoft Word 2010 and later

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click the File tab.
3. Click Options.
4. In the Word Options window, click the Proofing option.
5. Click the AutoCorrect Options button.
6. Near the bottom of the AutoCorrect tab, find and select the AutoCorrect entry you want to remove.
7. Click the Delete button.

Microsoft Word 2007

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click the Office button in the top-left corner.
3. Click Options.
4. In the Word Options window, click the Proofing option.
5. Click the AutoCorrect Options button.
6. In the AutoCorrect window, click the AutoCorrect tab.
7. Near the bottom of the AutoCorrect tab, find and select the AutoCorrect entry you want to remove.
8. Click the Delete button.

Microsoft Word 2003 and earlier

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click Format in the menu bar.
3. Click AutoFormat.
4. Click the Options button.
5. Click the AutoText tab.
6. In the listing of AutoTexts available, locate the AutoText you want to remove and highlight it.
7. Click the Delete button.