Changing AutoComplete Words

Steven was having a problem with AutoComplete. It seems that his company name changed, and that AutoComplete was still suggesting his old company name as he typed, rather than his new one. Based on how the AutoComplete feature works (see the previous tip), it can be safely assumed that the company names (old and new) must share at least the same first four letters.

To correct this situation, all you need to do is remember that AutoComplete works hand-in-hand with Word's AutoText feature. If you want to change the word being suggested by AutoComplete, all you need to do is change the entries stored in AutoText. Follow these steps:

1. Choose AutoText from the Insert menu and then choose AutoText from the submenu. Alternately, you can choose AutoCorrect from the Tools menu and then click on the AutoText tab. Either way, Word displays the AutoText tab of the AutoCorrect dialog box. (See Figure 1.)



Figure 1. The AutoText tab of the AutoCorrect dialog box.

2. In the list of AutoText entries, locate and select the old company name. (If the old company name is not visible, then use the Look In drop-down list to specify different templates in which the AutoText entry could be located.)
3. Click on Delete. The old company name is deleted.
4. In the Enter AutoText Entries Here box, enter the new company name.
5. Click on Add.
6. Close the AutoCorrect dialog box.

If you want more than just the company name set up as an AutoText entry—for instance, you want to include a larger block of text, including things like a company slogan or address—then you will follow steps that a bit different. Follow these steps after you complete step 3, above.

1. In your document, type the text you want to use in the AutoText entry. For instance, type the company name along with its slogan or address.
2. Select the text.
3. Press Alt+F3. Word displays the Create AutoText dialog box. (See Figure 2.)



Figure 2. The Create AutoText dialog box.

4. In the dialog box, enter the mnemonic you want used for this AutoText entry.
5. Click on OK. The AutoText entry is completed.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1620) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.