Use PowerPoint AutoCorrect as a Shortcut

PowerPoint AutoCorrect Can Be Your Helper

PowerPoint AutoCorrect was designed to correct frequently misspelled words with the correct word (or words), without you having to do a thing. If you type a word incorrectly, PowerPoint automatically corrects your mistake by replacing the wrong word with the right word.

You, as the author of your presentation can use this feature to your advantage. If you have words that you frequently type incorrectly, but these words are not currently in the list of words that Microsoft products correct for you, you can add that word or phrase into the AutoCorrect feature.

But that is not all. You can also use this handy tool to save yourself from repeatedly typing lengthy phrases, such as a long company name. You can create an autocorrect entry of your own and by typing a few select keystrokes followed by the spacebar, the program will enter that text for you.

For this example, imagine you work for the law firm of Wiggencottyl, Blountschoop and Hossenfeffer. We will create an autocorrect entry to save you all this typing.

Create the PowerPoint AutoCorrect Entry

• PowerPoint 2010
  1. Click on the File tab of the ribbon.
  2. Click on the Options button, under the Help section at the left side of the screen.
  3. Select the Proofing option in the list and then click on the AutoCorrect Options... button.
  4. Select the AutoCorrect tab at the top of the dialog box if it is not already selected.
  5. Enter wbh (for this example) or any other misspelled word or specific keystrokes in the Replace: text box.
  6. Enter the correction in the With: text box. (In this example you would enter Wiggencottyl, Blountschoop and Hossenfeffer).
  7. Click on the Add button to add the item to the list.
  8. Click on the OK button when all entries have been made.
• PowerPoint 2007
  1. Click on the Office button in the top left corner of the PowerPoint 2007 window.
  2. Click on the PowerPoint Options button in the bottom of the dialog box.
  3. Follow Steps 3 - 8 as shown above for PowerPoint 2010 instructions.
• PowerPoint 2003
  1. Choose Tools > AutoCorrect Options... from the menu.
  2. Select the AutoCorrect tab at the top of the dialog box if it is not already selected.
  3. Enter wbh (for this example) or any other misspelled word or specific keystrokes in the Replace text box.
  4. Enter the correction in the With text box. (In this example you would enter Wiggencottyl, Blountschoop and Hossenfeffer).
  5. Click on the Add button to add the item to the list.
  6. Click on the OK button when all entries have been made.

Test the PowerPoint AutoCorrect Entry

1. Click in a text box on one of your slides.
2. Type the keystrokes that you entered earlier when creating the AutoCorrect entry, and press the spacebar.
   • Note - The spacebar must be pressed in order for PowerPoint to figure out that your entry is complete. In the example for this tutorial, I would type wbh and then press the spacebar.
3. PowerPoint replaces the entry of wbh with the law firm name of Wiggencottyl, Blountschoop and Hossenfeffer.

See a demonstration of the PowerPoint AutoCorrect in this animated image.

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