Reference number: CH000762

How can I enable, disable, and/or add text to Microsoft Word AutoText?

Question:

How can I enable, disable, and/or add text to Microsoft Word AutoText?

Answer:

Enabling / Disabling Microsoft Word AutoText

To enable or disable the Microsoft Word AutoText, follow the below steps.

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click Format from the drop-down-menu.
3. Click AutoFormat.
4. Click the Options button.
5. Click the AutoText tab.

If you wish to disable AutoText boxes from appearing as you're typing, uncheck "Show AutoComplete tip for AutoText and dates". If you wish to enable this feature, make sure this option is checked. 

Adding your own AutoText

If you have a common word or phrase you wish to add to AutoText, you can follow the below steps.

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click Format from the drop-down-menu.
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 wish 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 above steps will only allow you to enter a simple single word or a phrase with a few words. What if you wanted an AutoText to have multiple lines of text, different types of formatting, etc.?

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

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Type the text in Microsoft Word exactly how you want it to appear in your AutoText.
3. Highlight all of the text.
4. Press ALT+F3.
5. This will open a Create AutoText window asking for a name you wish to use for your AutoText. Type the name you wish to use for this text and click Ok.

Removing an AutoText

If there is a default AutoText you wish to remove or you have created an AutoText entry you no longer wish to use, follow the below steps.

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

Additional information:

• See our AutoText dictionary definition for additional information about this term and related links.
• Microsoft Word AutoText is not the same as Microsoft Word AutoCorrect. Additional information about how to disable this feature can be found on document CH000564.