How to turn off autocorrect in Outlook

Outlook's AutoCorrect feature uses hundreds of preconfigured corrections to help you reduce errors while you write. It is set by default to correct common spelling and punctuation errors. However, it can be a hindrance at times when incorrect and causing errors.

Is Outlook's AutoCorrect feature bothering you? If so, read on to learn how to disable it in Outlook and Outlook Web App (OWA), as well as how to add and remove words from the list.

How to turn off autocorrect in Outlook Web App

Follow these steps to turn off the AutoCorrect feature through Outlook Web Access:

Windows 10 :

1. Go to Microsoft 365 or Outlook.com to sign in to your account.
   
2. Click on “File”, “Options”, then “Mail”.
   
3. Choose "Editor Options", Proofing" and "AutoCorrect Options".
   
4. Via the "Autocorrect" tab, deselect the "Replace text as you type" option.
   

Mac:

1. Sign in to your OWA account by visiting Microsoft 365 or Outlook.com.
   
2. From the Outlook menu, choose "Preferences", then "AutoCorrect".
   
3. Uncheck "Replace text as you type" to turn off autocorrect.
   

How to turn off autocorrect in Outlook on Windows PC?

The steps to turn off autocorrect using the app on your PC are pretty much the same as through OWA:

1. Open the Outlook app.
   
2. Select "File", "Options", then "Mail".
   
3. Select "Editor Options", Proofing, then "AutoCorrect Options".
   
4. Under the "AutoCorrect" tab, turn off the "Replace text as you type" option to turn off autocorrect.
   

How to Disable AutoCorrect in Outlook on a Mac

Here's how to turn off the AutoCorrect feature using the Outlook app on your Mac:

1. Open Outlook and log in to your account.
   
2. In the Outlook menu, select "Preferences", then "AutoCorrect".
   
3. Turn off the "Replace text as you type" option to turn off autocorrect.
   

How to remove a word from autocorrect in Outlook

Using the desktop version, you can remove and add words to the autocorrect list. Here's how to edit the list using Windows or Mac:

Notes: This option is not supported in OWA.

Remove an entry from the AutoCorrect list in Windows 10:

1. Open Outlook.
   
2. Click on “File”, “Options”, then “Mail”.
   
3. Select "Editor Options", Proofing, then "AutoCorrect Options".
   
4. Under the "Autocorrect" tab, via the "Replace" box, type the word you want to remove from the list.
   
5. Choose the word from the list, then select "Delete."
   

Add an entry to the AutoCorrect list using Windows 10:

1. Log in to Outlook.
   
2. Choose "File", "Options", "Mail", then "Editor Options".
   
3. Click on "Verification" and "Autocorrect options".
   
4. Select the "AutoCorrect" tab, then in the "Replace" box, enter a misspelled word or phrase that you want to autocorrect.
   
5. In the "With" box, enter the correct spelling, then select "Add".
   

Remove an entry from the AutoCorrect list via Mac:

1. Access your Outlook account.
   
2. Go to "File", "Options" and "Mail".
3. Choose "Editor Options", Proofing" and "AutoCorrect Options".
   
4. Select the "AutoCorrect" tab, click in the list and type the first two letters of the word or phrase you want to remove.
   
5. Click the entry in the list, then click the minus sign (-).
   

Add an entry to the AutoCorrect list using Mac:

1. Launch the Outlook application.
   
2. Choose "File", "Options", then "Mail".
3. Select "Editor Options", Proofing, then "AutoCorrect Options".
   
4. With the "AutoCorrect" tab selected, click the plus "+" sign at the bottom left of the dialog box.
   
5. In the "Replace" column, enter the word or phrase that you often misspell.
   
6. Now type the correct spelling in the "With" column, then press "Enter".
   

How to remove misspelled word from spell check in Outlook

All custom dictionaries are controlled through the "Custom Dictionaries" section. Therefore, all custom dictionaries you wish to use must be selected in the "Custom Dictionaries" dialog box. Follow these steps to add or remove words from custom dictionaries:

Notes: When you add a word to the custom dictionary through an Office application, the word will be available for spell checks in all Office applications.

Windows 10 :

1. Log into your Outlook account.
   
2. Select "File", "Options", then "Mail".
   
3. Click on “Spelling and AutoCorrect” and “Proofing”.
   
4. Make sure "Suggest from main dictionary only" is unchecked.
   
5. Choose "Custom Dictionaries" and select the dictionary you want to edit without unchecking it.
   
6. Choose "Edit Word List" and do one of the following:
   
   • Add a word by entering it in the "Word(s)" field, then select "Add".
   • Delete a word by selecting it in the "Dictionary" box, then clicking "Delete."
   • Edit a word by deleting it, then add its replacement.
   • Choose "Delete All" to delete all words.

Mac:

The steps to edit the custom dictionary using Outlook for Mac are slightly different from Windows:

1. Log in to Outlook, then select “Preferences”.
   
2. Via "Authorization and proofing tools", choose "Spelling and grammar".
   
3. To use custom dictionaries, make sure "Suggest from main dictionary only" is unchecked.
4. Choose "Dictionaries", then select the dictionary you want to edit.
5. Make sure you don't accidentally uncheck the dictionary option.
6. Click on “Edit”. The custom dictionary will open as a document ready for editing.
7. Make the changes, then "Save".

Incorrect autocorrect

Autocorrect is a great helper for writing emails most of the time. However, the feature doesn't always get its fixes right and can cause errors instead. If you don't spot the error from AutoCorrect, you might not look professional when reading your message. Fortunately, Outlook allows you to turn this feature on and off at any time. You can also delete words and add them to its preconfigured autocorrect list.

Was there a time when autocorrect became more of a hindrance than a help? If so, tell us about it in the comments section below.