Office Settings & Configuration

How to Stop Automatic Formatting in Outlook

Ayan Masood Oct 13, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to prevent Outlook from automatically modifying email formatting, such as auto-indenting numbered lists, to ensure the message retains the exact format typed.

How to Stop Automatic Formatting in Outlook

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Composing and formatting emails without unexpected layout or list changes.
Observed behavior: Outlook automatically applies formatting rules like indents and numbered lists while the user types, altering the intended text layout.

Before you start

Verify whether you are using the desktop application or the web version of Outlook, as detailed AutoFormat settings are primarily available in the desktop version.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable AutoFormat Settings in Outlook Desktop

Use the Editor Options in the Outlook desktop application to turn off unwanted AutoFormat and AutoCorrect rules.

While Outlook on the web has limited formatting controls, the desktop application offers comprehensive AutoCorrect and AutoFormat settings. Adjusting these settings will stop Outlook from modifying your lists and indents automatically.

Access Editor Options

Open the desktop Outlook application. Go to File > Options > Mail, then click on the 'Editor Options' button.

Navigate to Proofing

In the Editor Options window, select 'Proofing' from the left sidebar, then click the 'AutoCorrect Options' button.

Modify AutoFormat As You Type

Go to the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab and clear the checkboxes for the formatting options you want to disable, such as 'Automatic bulleted lists' or 'Automatic numbered lists'.

Adjust AutoCorrect Options

Optionally, navigate to the 'AutoCorrect' tab and clear the 'Replace text as you type' checkbox to prevent Outlook from automatically substituting words.

Disable AutoFormat Settings in Outlook Desktop

Web App Limitation: These detailed AutoFormat controls are not available in Outlook on the web. Web users may need to manually undo auto-formatting or use the desktop app to permanently configure these rules.

Solution 2

Clear Existing Automatic Formatting Manually

Quickly remove unwanted formatting that has already been applied to your email draft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop auto-formatting in Outlook on the web?

Outlook on the web currently offers very limited controls over AutoFormat settings. To fully disable features like automatic numbered lists and auto-indents, you need to configure the settings in the Outlook desktop application.

How do I turn off automatic bullet points in Outlook?

In the Outlook desktop app, go to File > Options > Mail > Editor Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. Under the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab, uncheck the 'Automatic bulleted lists' and 'Automatic numbered lists' options.

Why does Outlook change my formatting automatically?

Outlook uses AutoFormat and AutoCorrect rules to guess your formatting intent and automatically adjust text, such as adding indents or changing straight quotes to smart quotes. These default rules can be customized or disabled in the Editor Options.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to clear unwanted formatting in Outlook?

Yes, you can highlight the affected text and press 'Ctrl + Space' on Windows to remove manual and automatic formatting, which reverts the selected text back to the default style.

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