Office Settings & Configuration

How to Stop Microsoft Word from Changing Words into Contractions

Partner Editor Sep 30, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent Microsoft Word from automatically altering typed words containing apostrophes into unusual punctuation or unexpected contractions.

How to Stop Microsoft Word from Changing Words into Contractions

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Typing text with apostrophes, such as "Emperor's", in a Microsoft Word document.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word automatically changes the correctly typed text into unexpected punctuation or contraction-like text without any add-ins installed.

Before you start

Verify that your Windows keyboard language matches your physical keyboard layout, as an accidental switch (often triggered by Alt + Shift) can cause apostrophe keys to output unexpected characters.

Solution 1Recommended

Check and Disable Specific AutoCorrect Rules

Adjust Word's AutoCorrect and AutoFormat settings to stop the application from automatically replacing text or modifying punctuation as you type.

Microsoft Word utilizes built-in proofing tools to automatically fix common typos and format punctuation. Sometimes, these rules mistakenly target specific words or apostrophe usage, altering your intended text.

Open Word Options

Launch Microsoft Word, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.

Navigate to AutoCorrect Settings

In the Word Options dialog box, select 'Proofing' from the left pane, then click the 'AutoCorrect Options...' button.

Review Replacement Rules

Under the 'AutoCorrect' tab, scroll through the 'Replace text as you type' list to see if a specific rule is altering your text. You can delete the rule or uncheck the box entirely to disable automatic replacements.

Adjust AutoFormat As You Type

Switch to the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab. Under 'Replace as you type', try unchecking 'Straight quotes with smart quotes' to prevent apostrophe modification glitches.

Check and Disable Specific AutoCorrect Rules

Document Language Settings: Ensure the proofing language at the bottom of your Word window is set correctly (e.g., English (US)). An incorrect language setting can trigger strange AutoCorrect behaviors.

Solution 2

Isolate the Issue to a Specific Document

Test the behavior in a brand new file to determine if the problem is caused by document-specific corruption or a global application glitch.

Solution 3

Perform an Online Repair of Microsoft 365

Run an Office repair to fix any underlying software glitches causing persistent AutoCorrect and text modification issues across all documents.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Bug-Free Writing Experience

If Microsoft Word continues to aggressively modify your text or exhibit AutoCorrect glitches, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and customizable environment that gives you full control over your document's formatting without unexpected interruptions.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free WPS Office installer and follow the setup instructions.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word (.docx) documents to continue working immediately.
3. Customize Settings: Go to Menu > Options > Spell Check to adjust proofing rules exactly to your liking.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc)Granular, easy-to-manage control over AutoCorrect and spell-check featuresFree, lightweight, and fast alternative to Microsoft 365Familiar user interface ensuring seamless migration with zero learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my apostrophes turning into strange symbols in Word?

This usually happens when Word's 'AutoFormat As You Type' feature replaces standard straight quotes with 'smart quotes', but the current font does not support the smart quote character. Changing the document font or disabling the smart quotes feature in AutoCorrect settings will resolve this.

How do I completely turn off AutoCorrect in Microsoft Word?

To turn off AutoCorrect, navigate to File > Options > Proofing, click on 'AutoCorrect Options', and uncheck the 'Replace text as you type' box. Click OK to save your changes.

Can a corrupted Word document cause text to change on its own?

Yes, localized document corruption or macro viruses can cause erratic behavior, including unexpected text replacement. Testing the same text in a completely new, blank document helps determine if the issue is tied to that specific file.

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