How to Turn Off AutoCorrect in Outlook

Lee Stanton November 1, 2022

_{Updated Nov. 01, 2022, by Steve Larner, to reflect current Windows, Mac, and OWA processes.}

Outlook’s AutoCorrect feature uses hundreds of pre-configured corrections to help you reduce errors as you write. It’s set by default to fix common spelling and punctuation errors. However, it can be a hindrance at times when it’s incorrect and causes errors.

The AutoCorrect feature often gets in the way when typing proper nouns, business names, HTML, abbreviations, and more. At times, you intentionally misspell a word and don’t want Outlook to change it. Of course, there are also times when you use Internet slang, such as lol, btw, omg, etc.

Read on to learn how to turn AutoCorrect off (and on if desired) in Outlook and Outlook Web App (OWA), plus see how to add and remove words from the list.

How to Turn Off AutoCorrect in the Outlook Web App (OWA) on Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook

Since Outlook OWA works in any browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chromebook, the process remains the same for all. If you prefer to use Outlook in a browser or cannot access the app on your device, follow these steps to disable the AutoCorrect feature via Outlook Web Access (OWA):

Turn Off AutoCorrect in OWA using Windows 10:

Navigate to “Outlook.com“ to sign in to your account.
Click the “gear icon” (Settings) in the top-right section.
Click on “View all Outlook settings” on the right side of the screen.
In the “Settings” menu on the left side of the screen, choose “Mail > Compose and reply.”
In the right pane, scroll down to the “Text predictions” section and uncheck “Suggest words or phrases as I type.” You can also turn it on whenever you need it if it was disabled.
Click on the “Save” button in the bottom-right section of the screen to preserve your changes.
Click the “X” in the top-right section to close the “Settings” menu.

How to Turn Off AutoCorrect in the Outlook App

How to Turn Off AutoCorrect in Outlook on Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, or 11

The steps for disabling AutoCorrect in Outlook 2010 and newer on Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 are easy to perform.

Open the Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, or 11 “Outlook” app.
Click on “File” in the top-left section.
Select “Options” in the bottom-left section. You may need to maximize the window or move it up to see “Options” if the menu window carries over the bottom of the screen.
Select “Mail” on the left, then click the “Editor Options” button to the far right.
Choose “Proofing,” then “AutoCorrect Options…”
Under the “AutoCorrect” tab, disable the “Replace text as you type” option.
Click on the “OK” button to save your changes.

How to Turn Off AutoCorrect in the Outlook App on a Mac

Here’s how to deactivate the AutoCorrect feature using the Outlook app on your Mac:

Open Outlook and sign in to your account.
Click on “Outlook > Preferences” at the top, left section of the Menu.
Choose “AutoCorrect” in the “Personal Settings” options.
Uncheck the “Replace text as you type” option to disable AutoCorrect.

How to Add or Remove Words From AutoCorrect in the Outlook App

Using the desktop version, you can delete and add words to the AutoCorrect list. Here’s how to amend the list using Windows or Mac:

Note: This option is not supported in OWA.

Remove or Add Words in Outlook AutoCorrect using Windows:

Open “Outlook,” whether you are using Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, or 11.
Click on “File” in the top-left section.
Select “Options” in the bottom-left section. You may need to maximize the window or move it up to see “Options” if the menu window carries over the bottom of the screen.
In the “Mail” options, click on “Editor Options.”
Select “Proofing” on the left, then click on “AutoCorrect Options…” on the right.
Ensure you are on the “AutoCorrect” tab. In the “Replace” box, type the misspelling you wish to remove or add to your list.
If the misspelling already exists, it will get highlighted in the AutoCorrect list with the correct spelling. If not, the misspelling only appears in the “Replace” box where you typed it.
To add a misspelled word to the list, type the correct spelling in the “With:” box, then click on the “Add” button.
To remove an entry, type the misspelled word in the “Replace” box, then highlight it (if needed) and click on the “Delete” button.
When finished with adding/removing words in AutoCorrect, click on the “OK” button to close the settings.

Add or Remove a Word in Outlook AutoCorrect List via Mac

Access your “Outlook” account.
Click on “Outlook > Preferences” at the top, left section of the Menu.
Choose “AutoCorrect.”
To remove a word, choose the “AutoCorrect” tab, then click on the list and type the first couple of letters of the word or phrase you wish to delete.
Click the entry in the list, then the “minus” (-) symbol.
To add a word to the AutoCorrect list, select the “AutoCorrect tab, then click the “plus” (+) sign at the bottom left of the dialog box.
In the “Replace” column, enter the misspelled word or phrase.
Now, type the correct spelling in the “With” column, then press “Enter.”

How to Remove a Misspelled Word From Spell Check in Outlook

All custom dictionaries are controlled via the “Custom Dictionaries” section. Therefore, any 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:

Note: When you add a word to the custom dictionary via an Office app, the word will be available for spell checks across all Office apps.

Windows 10:

Sign in to your Outlook account.
Select “File,” “Options,” then “Mail.”
Click on “Spelling and AutoCorrect” and “Proofing.”
Ensure the “Suggest from main dictionary only” option is unchecked.
Choose “Custom Dictionaries” and select the dictionary you want to edit without unchecking it.
Choose “Edit Word List” and do one of the following:
- Add a word by entering it into the “Word(s)” field, then select “Add.”
- Delete a word by selecting it in the “Dictionary” box, then click “Delete.”
- Edit a word by deleting it, then add its replacement.
- Choose “Delete all” to remove all words.

Mac:

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

Sign in to Outlook, then select “Preferences.”
Via “Authoring and Proofing Tools,” choose “Spelling & Grammar.”
To use custom dictionaries, ensure the “Suggest from main dictionary only” option is unchecked.
Choose “Dictionaries,” then select the dictionary you wish to edit.
Be sure not to accidentally uncheck the dictionary option.
Click “Edit.” The custom dictionary will open like a document ready for editing.
Make the changes, then “Save.”

AutoCorrect is a great assistant for writing emails most of the time. However, the feature doesn’t always get its corrections right and can cause errors instead. If you don’t spot AutoCorrect’s mistake, you could look unprofessional when your message is read. Fortunately, Outlook allows for this feature to be enabled and disabled at any time. You can also remove words from and add them to its pre-configured autocorrection list.

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