How to Fix Microsoft Word Changing Text to OK or Inserting Apostrophes
Question details
The user needs to stop Microsoft Word from unexpectedly replacing typed letters or words with 'OK' and incorrectly modifying contractions with extra apostrophes.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Typing or editing text content within a Word document
- Observed behavior
- Standard letters or words are automatically replaced with 'OK', and standard contractions like "don't" are changed to "d'n't". This occurs independently of standard AutoCorrect settings.
Before beginning the troubleshooting process, save your current document and ensure that no other instances of Microsoft Word or conflicting background applications are currently running.
Start Word in Safe Mode and Disable Add-ins
Launch Word in Safe Mode to bypass third-party integrations and determine if an incompatible COM add-in is causing the text replacement glitch.
Many unexpected typing behaviors in Microsoft Office are caused by outdated or conflicting third-party add-ins. Running Safe Mode allows you to temporarily disable these extensions.
Press and hold the 'Ctrl' key on your keyboard, then click your Microsoft Word shortcut. Click 'Yes' when the prompt asks if you want to start Word in Safe Mode.
Create a new blank document and type out the words or contractions that were previously causing issues. If the text does not change to 'OK', an add-in is the root cause.
Navigate to 'File' > 'Options' > 'Add-ins'. At the bottom of the window, select 'COM Add-ins' from the 'Manage' drop-down menu and click 'Go'.
Uncheck all listed add-ins and click 'OK'. Restart Word normally and re-enable the add-ins one by one, typing a test sentence each time to identify which specific add-in is causing the glitch.
Review Tracked Changes and Document Formatting
Check if active Tracked Changes or deep-rooted document corruption is causing text manipulation in your specific file.
Repair Your Microsoft Office Installation
If the issue occurs broadly across all new and existing documents even in Safe Mode, a core Office repair is required.
Try WPS Office for a Bug-Free Writing Experience
If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with glitchy add-ins and unexpected text replacements, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and stable environment for seamless document editing.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the simple on-screen prompts to install WPS Writer.
- 3. Open your documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word files directly; they will retain their original formatting without the previous text glitches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word keep changing my words to 'OK'?
This is almost always caused by a malfunctioning third-party COM add-in interfering with Word's typing mechanics, rather than standard AutoCorrect rules. Disabling add-ins usually resolves the problem immediately.
Can standard AutoCorrect settings cause contractions to change to d'n't?
While AutoCorrect can replace text, bizarre behavior like adding random apostrophes into contractions is typically the result of broken extensions, macro glitches, or document corruption, not the standard AutoCorrect library.
How do I exit Word Safe Mode after troubleshooting?
To exit Safe Mode, simply save your work and close the Microsoft Word application entirely. The next time you open Word normally from your Start menu or taskbar, it will launch in standard mode.
