How to Prevent OneNote for Windows 10 from Changing HSA to HAS
Question details
The user wants to stop OneNote for Windows 10 from automatically autocorrecting the acronym "HSA" into the word "HAS".
- Product
- OneNote for Windows 10
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Typing specific abbreviations or medical/financial acronyms (like HSA) during note-taking.
- Observed behavior
- The application automatically replaces the typed abbreviation "HSA" with the word "HAS" due to background autocorrect rules, and copying legacy Office dictionary files does not resolve the issue.
Before adjusting your autocorrect settings, ensure your Windows 10 system language matches your typing preferences, as OneNote for Windows 10 relies heavily on the built-in Windows language settings rather than legacy Office dictionaries.
Adjust Windows OS Autocorrect Settings
Because OneNote for Windows 10 uses system-level spelling and typing settings, you need to modify the Windows autocorrect feature to prevent acronyms from changing automatically.
OneNote for Windows 10 is a UWP (Universal Windows Platform) app. Unlike the classic OneNote 2016 desktop application, it does not use the standard Microsoft Office autocorrect dictionaries.
Click the Start button on your taskbar and select the gear icon to open Windows Settings, or simply press the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
Go to 'Devices' and select 'Typing' from the left-hand sidebar menu.
Under the Spelling section, toggle off the option for 'Autocorrect misspelled words'. This will prevent Windows and OneNote from automatically changing HSA to HAS.
Verify Proofing Language in OneNote
Setting the correct proofing language can sometimes help standardize how OneNote handles certain words and abbreviations.
Try WPS Office for Better Control Over Your Documents
If you are struggling with uncontrollable autocorrect settings in Windows 10 default apps, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides comprehensive desktop applications for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF editing with highly customizable proofing options that are easy to manage.
- 1. Visit the WPS Website: Go to the official WPS Office website to find the latest free version.
- 2. Download the Installer: Click on the Free Download button for your operating system.
- 3. Install and Configure: Run the setup file and open WPS Office. You can easily access and customize all autocorrect options directly from the application's Options menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneNote for Windows 10 ignore my Office 2016 autocorrect files?
OneNote for Windows 10 is a UWP (Universal Windows Platform) app and relies on Windows 10 system-level typing settings. It does not read legacy Microsoft Office dictionary files like MSO1033.acl.
How do I add an exception to autocorrect instead of turning it off completely?
In standard desktop versions of Office (like OneNote 2016 or WPS Office), you can add exceptions in the Autocorrect Options menu. However, for OneNote for Windows 10, you must add the specific word to your custom Windows spelling dictionary via the OS typing settings.
What does language code 1033 mean in Microsoft apps?
Language code 1033 is the locale ID (LCID) assigned by Microsoft to represent English (United States). Ensuring your proofing language is set to 1033 can help standardize spelling and autocorrect behavior across your documents.
