Causing words to automatically change to other words

[jmt356]

I would like Windows to automatically convert every instance of a particular word typed out to another word. For example, each time I type out "UK," I would like "United Kingdom" to appear. How can this be done?

[HansV]

AutoHotkey is free for personal use.

[jmt356]

Is there a way to do this with a feature already built into Word?

[Leif]

Try Auto-Correct: File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options

But note Eileen's Lounge • View topic - Outlook automatically enters date in Contact Notes - I have a suspicion the Autocorrect options may be linked...

[HansV]

Is there a way to do this with a feature already built into Word?

You have posted this in the Windows General forum, and you asked "I would like Windows to automatically convert ...".
AutoHotkey can be used to perform automatic replacements in any Windows application.
I didn't suggest Word's AutoCorrect since that works in Word only. But as Leif mentioned, you can use AutoCorrect to replace "UK" with "United Kingdom" in Word.

[PJ_in_FL]

But ... what if you wanted UK to be Kentucky or University of Kentucky and got United Kingdom by mistake?

That would be TOO SAD!

Go Big Blue!!!!!!

[jmt356]

Ideally, I want to be able to change the entries in all my applications. However, since my experience with third-party applications has not always been so positive, I would prefer a built-in solution and since 95% of my work involves Word, the AutoCorrect feature should hopefully do the trick.

Is it possible to have my Word Autocorrect options apply in Outlook and other MS Office applications?

[MarkIV]

AutoHotkey is free for personal use.

A teensy addendum... I believe that AutoHotKey is free, open-source software released under the GNU General Public License and is free for any use.

[HansV]

Welcome to Eileen's Lounge!

You're correct. "It is completely free for personal and commercial use."

[Jay Freedman]

Is it possible to have my Word Autocorrect options apply in Outlook and other MS Office applications?

There are two kinds of AutoCorrect entries, "plain text" and "formatted".

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If the replacement value is not text (a graphic, a shape, a floating text box, etc.) or if it's text that includes a paragraph mark, then it becomes a formatted entry. Otherwise it's a plain text entry. Plain text entries can be defined in any of the Office programs and are automatically shared with all the other Office programs (Outlook, Excel, etc.). Formatted entries are not shared, so you would have to define them separately in each program where you want them (and where they make sense).