Office Settings & Configuration

How to Stop OneNote from Changing DNA to DANN with AutoCorrect

Maira Mehtab Oct 7, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent OneNote from automatically correcting the acronym 'DNA' to the word 'DANN'.

How to Stop OneNote from Changing DNA to DANN with AutoCorrect

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows, iPad
Scenario: Typing scientific terms or acronyms like 'DNA' in a OneNote notebook.
Observed behavior: OneNote's AutoCorrect feature automatically replaces the typed text 'DNA' with 'DANN', causing unwanted typos.

Before you start

Note that AutoCorrect dictionary options can only be modified in the desktop version of OneNote for Windows, as the iPad app currently lacks this settings feature.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove the Unwanted AutoCorrect Entry in OneNote for Windows

Access the Proofing settings in OneNote for Windows to delete the specific AutoCorrect rule causing the issue.

Microsoft OneNote uses a built-in AutoCorrect dictionary to fix common typos, but it can sometimes incorrectly modify valid acronyms. Deleting the specific replacement entry will stop this behavior without disabling AutoCorrect entirely.

Open OneNote Options

Open your OneNote desktop application, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.

Access Proofing Settings

In the OneNote Options dialog box, navigate to the 'Proofing' tab in the left-hand pane.

Open AutoCorrect Options

Click the 'AutoCorrect Options...' button to open the AutoCorrect customization window.

Delete the Entry

Search for the 'DNA' to 'DANN' entry in the replacement list. Select the entry, click the 'Delete' button, and then click 'OK' to save your changes.

Remove the Unwanted AutoCorrect Entry in OneNote for Windows

iPad Limitations: This setting is not available in OneNote for iPad. If you exclusively use an iPad, you will need to undo the correction manually as you type, or log into a Windows PC to modify the global Microsoft account AutoCorrect settings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I disable AutoCorrect entirely in OneNote?

Yes, you can turn off AutoCorrect completely by going to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, and unchecking the box that says 'Replace text as you type'.

Why doesn't OneNote for iPad have AutoCorrect options?

The mobile and tablet versions of Microsoft Office applications have simplified interfaces and currently lack advanced configuration menus, such as the customizable AutoCorrect dictionary available on the desktop versions.

How do I deal with this autocorrect issue on my iPad?

Since you cannot edit the AutoCorrect list directly on the iPad, you can temporarily bypass it by typing 'DNA', waiting for it to change to 'DANN', and then immediately tapping the undo button to revert the change.

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