Where AutoCorrect Entries and Settings Are Stored

ID: Q135778

The information in this article applies to:

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

SUMMARY

AutoCorrect lists are now shared between Office applications. Any changes you make to the AutoCorrect entries and settings while in one program are immediately available to the other programs. In addition, Word can store AutoCorrect items consisting of formatted text and graphics.

Information pertaining to AutoCorrect is stored in various locations. 


   This AutoCorrect information                 Is stored here
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------

   AutoCorrect entries shared by all            .acl file in the location
   programs                                     specified in the Windows
                                                registry

   AutoCorrect entries used only by             Normal.dot
   Word (formatted text and graphics)

   AutoCorrect settings (correct two initial    Windows registry
   capitals, capitalize names of days,
   replace text as you type)

   AutoCorrect settings used only by            Windows registry
   Word (Correct accidental usage of CAPS
   LOCK key, Capitalize first letter of
   sentences)


MORE INFORMATION

For information about how to edit the registry, see the Changing Keys And Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Shared AutoCorrect Items Stored in .ACL File

The first time you use one of the Office programs listed at the beginning of this article, a default list of AutoCorrect items is copied from Msoffice.acl to a new file, called <username>000.acl. If you have not logged on to the computer as a specific user, the new file is called User000.acl. This file is usually placed in the Windows folder.

When you add a new AutoCorrect entry in any of the Office programs, that program immediately updates the .acl file. This new AutoCorrect entry is now available to all the other programs which also use AutoCorrect.

Location of the .acl File

The .acl file is usually located in the Windows folder. To determine where this file is stored, look in the Registry Editor under the following key:

In Microsoft Office 97: 

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Office\8.0\ 
   Common\AutoCorrect

In Microsoft Office 95: 

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Office\95\ 
   AutoCorrect\list

If you have not logged on to the computer as a specific user, the entry will be found under this key: 

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Office\95\ 
   AutoCorrect\list

Location of the Settings Information

In Microsoft Office 95 other AutoCorrect settings are stored in the same location, in the Settings key: 

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Office\95\ 
   AutoCorrect\settings

Word Stores Additional AutoCorrect Entries

Word's built-in list of AutoCorrect entries includes items that don't appear in other programs, such as a colon and a closing parenthesis that are replaced by a "smiley face" symbol.

Word can also store graphics and formatted text as AutoCorrect entries. These entries are not available to other programs. (To store something as an AutoCorrect entry in Word, type the text or insert the graphic you want to store, select it, and then go to the Tools menu and click AutoCorrect. The highlighted area will appear on the "With" side, and you can type a short name in the "Replace" side.)

In Microsoft Office 95, Word's additional AutoCorrect options, Correct Accidental Use Of CAPS LOCK Key and Capitalize First Letter Of Sentences are stored in the Registry Editor under the following key: 

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Word\7.0\Data

Additional query words: 6.00 6.00a 6.00c winword word95 8.00 97 xl97 autocorect ac 


Keywords          : kbualink97 offinterop 
Version           : WINDOWS:7.0,95,97
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        :

Last Reviewed: April 27, 1999