Office Settings & Configuration

How to Restore Auto-Capitalization After a Hyphen in Microsoft Word

Kushani Nimanthika Sep 27, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user wants to configure Microsoft Word to automatically capitalize the first letter of a word that immediately follows a hyphen.

How to Restore Auto-Capitalization After a Hyphen in Microsoft Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Typing sentences where a capitalized word is expected after a hyphen, such as 'information - Over the top'.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word does not automatically capitalize the word following the hyphen, leaving the letter in lowercase.

Before you start

Ensure that your general AutoCorrect settings are enabled in Microsoft Word, as custom replacement rules rely on the main AutoCorrect engine being active.

Solution 1Recommended

Create Custom AutoCorrect Rules for Hyphens

Since Microsoft Word does not natively support an auto-capitalization toggle specifically for hyphens, manually adding custom AutoCorrect entries is the most reliable workaround.

Microsoft Word's 'Capitalize first letter of sentences' feature treats hyphens as standard punctuation, not sentence enders. Because of this, it ignores words following a dash or hyphen.

To force Word to capitalize specific letters after a hyphen, you can train it by creating manual replacement rules for the letters you use most frequently.

Open Word Options

Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the Word ribbon, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.

Access Proofing Settings

In the Word Options dialog box, click on the 'Proofing' tab in the left sidebar, then click the 'AutoCorrect Options...' button.

Set Up Lowercase Replacement

Under the 'AutoCorrect' tab, find the 'Replace text as you type' section. In the 'Replace' field, type a hyphen followed by a space and a lowercase letter (e.g., '- a').

Define the Capitalized Output

In the 'With' field, type a hyphen, a space, and the corresponding uppercase letter (e.g., '- A').

Add and Save the Rule

Click the 'Add' button. Repeat this process for any other letters you frequently capitalize after a hyphen (like '- b' to '- B'), then click 'OK' to save your changes.

Create Custom AutoCorrect Rules for Hyphens

Time-Saving Tip: You do not need to create rules for the entire alphabet. Only set up AutoCorrect entries for the specific letters or words you commonly type after a hyphen.

Advanced Text Formatting

Manage AutoCorrect Rules Easily with WPS Office

WPS Writer provides a highly intuitive AutoCorrect system, allowing you to easily configure custom capitalization and text replacement rules to streamline your document creation.

1. Open WPS Writer Settings: Launch WPS Office, open a document, click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner, and select 'Options'.
2. Navigate to AutoCorrect: In the Options dialog, navigate to the 'Spell Check' or 'AutoCorrect' section depending on your specific version.
3. Enter Replacement Rules: In the 'Replace text as you type' area, enter your hyphen and lowercase letter in the 'Replace' box, and the uppercase version in the 'With' box.
4. Apply and Save: Click 'Add' to store your new capitalization rule, then click 'OK' to immediately apply it to your typing workflow.

Intuitive AutoCorrect and text replacement setupFully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc)Lightweight, fast, and completely free to useFamiliar user interface with zero learning curve

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't Microsoft Word capitalize words after a hyphen by default?

Word's grammar engine treats hyphens as connectors between words or phrases rather than sentence-ending punctuation (like periods or question marks). Therefore, it does not trigger the default 'Capitalize first letter of sentences' rule.

Will my custom AutoCorrect rules apply to all my Word documents?

Yes. AutoCorrect entries are saved globally to your Microsoft Office profile (specifically in the Normal template file). Once you set up these hyphen rules, they will work across all existing and new Word documents on that computer.

Can I easily delete an AutoCorrect rule if I change my mind?

Yes. Simply return to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, locate your custom hyphen rule in the list under 'Replace text as you type', select it, and click the 'Delete' button.

Does this AutoCorrect workaround work in Excel and PowerPoint?

Yes, because Microsoft Office applications share the same underlying AutoCorrect dictionary, the rules you create in Word will generally apply to Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook on the same device.

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