How to Make Microsoft Word Use Straight Apostrophes
Question details
The user wants to prevent Microsoft Word from automatically converting straight apostrophes and quotation marks into curly ones.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Typing text where strict straight apostrophes are required, such as for coding snippets, web forms, or specific font compatibility.
- Observed behavior
- Word automatically replaces typed straight apostrophes with curly apostrophes (also known as smart quotes) during typing.
Determine if you need straight quotes for the entire document or just occasionally, as this will help you decide whether to change the global AutoFormat setting or rely on a quick keyboard shortcut.
Disable Smart Quotes in AutoCorrect Options
Change Word's global settings to permanently stop replacing straight quotes with curly quotes.
This method disables the 'smart quotes' feature completely. Once turned off, any new apostrophes or quotation marks you type will remain perfectly straight.
Launch Microsoft Word. Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the window, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the left sidebar.
In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Proofing' from the left-hand menu, then click the 'AutoCorrect Options...' button on the right side.
In the new window that appears, click the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab at the top.
Look under the 'Replace as you type' section. Uncheck the box labeled '"Straight quotes" with "smart quotes"' and click 'OK' to apply the changes.
Use the Undo Shortcut for Occasional Straight Quotes
A quick workaround if you generally prefer smart quotes but need a straight apostrophe just once.
Use WPS Writer to Easily Manage Quote Formatting
WPS Office provides full control over your document formatting, allowing you to easily toggle between straight and smart quotes. It handles plain text and code snippets flawlessly while maintaining complete compatibility with Microsoft Word documents.
- 1. Open Options: Open WPS Writer, click the 'Menu' button in the top-left corner, and select 'Options'.
- 2. Access AutoCorrect: Click on 'Edit' in the left sidebar, then click the 'AutoCorrect Options' button.
- 3. Disable Smart Quotes: Switch to the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab, uncheck the '"Straight quotes" with "smart quotes"' option, and click 'OK'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word change straight quotes to curly quotes by default?
Microsoft Word is designed primarily for word processing and professional typesetting. Curly quotes, also known as 'smart quotes,' are standard in professional typography because they curve towards the text, making documents look more polished. Straight quotes are considered a legacy feature from typewriters.
How do I change existing curly quotes back to straight quotes?
First, disable the smart quotes feature in AutoCorrect Options. Then, use the Find and Replace tool (Ctrl+H). Type an apostrophe in the 'Find what' box and an apostrophe in the 'Replace with' box, then click 'Replace All'. Word will replace all the existing curly quotes with straight ones.
Will straight quotes transfer correctly when copying to another program?
Yes. Straight quotes are plain text characters (Standard ASCII). They will transfer perfectly into code editors, web forms, command lines, and plain text documents without causing the syntax or encoding errors often associated with curly quotes.
Can I use smart quotes in some parts of my document and straight quotes in others?
Yes. You can leave the smart quotes setting enabled for general typing, and simply press Ctrl+Z immediately after typing a quote when you need a straight one. Alternatively, you can insert a straight quote manually at any time using the 'Symbol' menu under the 'Insert' tab.
