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What is AutoCorrect ?

AutoCorrect allows you to automatically correct common spelling mistakes, exchange text shortcuts for full text and quickly insert frequently used text.

Commonly misspelled words and other common errors shown in this dialog box can be corrected as you type.

AutoCorrect comes with a fairly long list of commonly misspelled words, but you can also add your own entries to the list as well.

For example if you type "nad" it can be automatically replaced with "and".

(Tools > AutoCorrect Options) dialog box.

There are three tabs on this dialog box although the AutoCorrect tab is the main one.

This tab allows you to define your options include things such as Capitalise names of days, correct capitalisation, create a list of commonly misspelled / wrongly typed words.

The "Replace text as you type" checkbox allows you to switch AutoCorrect on and off although it should be on by default.

The other two tabs are:

AutoFormat as you Type - Select the checkbox next to an AutoFormat option you want to use. Clear the checkbox next to an AutoFormat option to turn it off.

Smart Tags - Allows you to precisely specify which recognizers you want to use or not use. Because one recognizer can recognize multiple Smart Tags types, or one Smart Tags type can be recognized by multiple recognizers, the labels here are defined by the recognizers.

What is AutoComplete ?

AutoComplete is the automatic filling in of your text when you start typing and is switched on by default

Every time you start typing in a cell, all the entries in the same column of the current region are scanned and as each character is typed, any possible matches are automatically highlighted.

When you repeat list entries, Excel intuitively suggests entries based on the first few characters you type. You can either accept the suggestion or continue overtyping

You can either continue typing in order to overwrite or press Enter to accept the suggestion.

This only matches exact cell entries. This does not work when inserting or editing formulas.

AutoComplete , although you can switch it off.

Remember that AutoCorrect and AutoComplete are very different.

AutoCorrect happens automatically and there is nothing you can do to stop it, other than removing the entry from the list.

AutoComplete however requires you to press the Tab key to accept the suggestion.

How can I check my Spelling ?

There are several ways to display Spelling dialog box but the easiest way is to use the command on the Standard toolbar.

 Spelling - This can be found on the Standard toolbar.

Alternatively you can select (Tools > Spelling) or use the shortcut key (F7).

The Spelling dialog box will display any unknown words and suggests replacements.

It allows you to choose which elements to check so you do not waste time checking words that are not misspelt.

Excel can check the spelling of text on the current worksheet, in a range of cells or an individual cell as well as just a selection of text.

Only the spelling on the active worksheet will be checked. If you want to check the spelling in the whole workbook you must select all the worksheets first.

Although using the spell checker is not a substitute for careful proof reading it can catch obvious errors that mey be overlooked.

Things to Remember

Using AutoCorrect and be able to check your spelling are two features that help make entering and editing text a lot easier.

The spell checking will start from the active cell to the end of the worksheet. Always start spell checking from the top of your worksheet. Press (Ctrl + Home) before selecting (Tools > Spelling).

When you check the spelling on a worksheet Excel will alert you if it finds any words that it does not recognise. Alternative words will also be suggested.

Ignoring words that are in uppercase is an easy way to exclude acronyms and abbreviations.

AutoCorrect can be used to create your own typing shorthand.