Office Settings & Configuration

How to Stop Word from Automatically Superscripting Ordinal Suffixes

Phi Hung Vo Oct 14, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to prevent Word from automatically changing ordinal numbers (such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd) into superscript text and ensure this preference applies to all documents.

How to Stop Word from Automatically Superscripting Ordinals

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Typing ordinal numbers during regular document drafting and wanting them to remain as standard inline text.
Observed behavior: Word automatically formats the ordinal letters as superscripts while typing, ignoring settings that were only applied in the standard AutoFormat tab.

Before you start

Ensure you have Microsoft Word open and understand the difference between 'AutoFormat' (which applies to existing text) and 'AutoFormat As You Type' (which applies instantly as you type).

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Ordinal Superscripts in AutoFormat As You Type

The most common reason ordinals keep superscripting is that the setting was changed in the 'AutoFormat' tab instead of the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab. Changing it here applies it globally.

Microsoft Word separates its automatic formatting into two categories. To stop behavior that happens instantly while typing, you must configure the 'As You Type' settings.

Open Word Options

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

Access Proofing Settings

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

Switch to AutoFormat As You Type

Navigate to the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab at the top of the AutoCorrect window.

Disable the Ordinals Setting

Under the 'Replace as you type' section, uncheck the box labeled 'Ordinals (1st) with superscript'. Click 'OK' twice to save and exit.

Disable Ordinal Superscripts in AutoFormat As You Type

Settings Applied: This configuration modifies your global user preferences, meaning Word will stop superscripting ordinals in all new and existing documents.

Solution 2

Start Word in Safe Mode to Test for Add-in Conflicts

If you have already configured the correct settings but ordinals still superscript, a third-party add-in might be overriding your AutoFormat preferences.

Solution 3

Use the Quick Undo Shortcut

If you only occasionally need to prevent superscripting and do not want to change global settings, you can manually revert it on the fly.

Manage AutoFormat Settings Easily

Easily Control AutoFormat and Ordinals in WPS Writer

If you are struggling with persistent add-in conflicts or confusing AutoCorrect settings in Microsoft Word, you can use WPS Writer to easily manage how your text is formatted.

1. Open Options: Launch WPS Writer, click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner, and select 'Options'.
2. Access AutoCorrect: In the Options window, navigate to 'Edit' or 'AutoCorrect' in the left pane.
3. Modify As You Type Settings: Select 'AutoFormat As You Type', uncheck 'Ordinals (1st) with superscript', and click OK.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word documents (.docx) formattingClear, easy-to-navigate AutoFormat and AutoCorrect settingsLightweight software design without intrusive third-party add-in conflictsFree to use with a familiar, user-friendly interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word keep changing my settings back to superscript?

This usually happens because you disabled the setting in the 'AutoFormat' tab instead of the 'AutoFormat As You Type' tab. The standard AutoFormat tab only applies when you manually run an AutoFormat command on existing text, while 'As You Type' controls the live typing behavior.

Will changing this setting apply to all future documents?

Yes. Modifying the AutoFormat As You Type settings within the AutoCorrect Options dialog changes your global Office user preferences. It will apply to all future documents you create or edit.

How do I selectively keep ordinals superscripted if I disable the global setting?

If you disable the automatic setting globally, you can still manually apply superscript to specific ordinals by highlighting the suffix (like 'th') and pressing 'Ctrl + Shift + Plus Sign (+)' on your keyboard.

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