Get Outlook to stop auto-correcting a capitalized plural

Question

I have to use an abbreviation regularly for my job, DE. In the last few weeks, whenever I pluralize it in an Outlook email, DEs, Outlook will auto-correct it to Des. I have already turned off auto correct and added DEs to my Outlook dictionary but it still keeps happening. Do I need to reboot my computer to fix this? I've closed and re-opened Outlook a couple of times but that hasn't fixed the problem.

Answer 1

Hi Liz, 

Good day. Thank you for the clear explanation of your concern. 

Based on the behavior you described, this does not appear to be an issue that would typically require a computer reboot. Since you have already closed and reopened Outlook, turned off AutoCorrect, and added DEs to your Outlook dictionary, the issue is likely being caused by another writing assistance feature in New Outlook, such as Microsoft Editor, auto-capitalization, or auto-formatting. 

In this case, Outlook may be interpreting DEs as a word with accidental capitalization and automatically changing it to Des. Adding DEs to the dictionary may not stop this behavior because the dictionary mainly affects spelling recognition, while this issue appears to be related to automatic capitalization or formatting rules. 

Here are some steps you can try: 

1. Open New Outlook. 
2. Start a new email or reply to an existing message. 
3. On the message ribbon, select Editor > Editor Settings. 
4. 
5. In the Microsoft Editor Settings window, please turn off the following options first: 

• Enable auto correct 
• Enable auto capitalization 
• Capitalize 'I' (English only) 

6. 
7. Select OK to save the changes. 
8. Return to the compose window and test typing DEs again. 

If the issue still occurs, please go back to Editor Settings and temporarily turn off the following options as well: 

• Text predictions 
• Spelling 
• Grammar 

Then select OK and test typing DEs again. 

Additionally, you may check the auto-formatting options: 

• Open a new email in Outlook. 
• Select Auto format options from the ribbon, if available. 
• Review the enabled options and turn off any automatic formatting or correction settings that may affect capitalization. 
• Save the changes and test again. 

As a temporary workaround, after Outlook changes DEs to Des, you may press Ctrl + Z immediately to undo the correction. 

After checking the settings above, restarting Outlook once more may help ensure the changes take effect. 

For your reference, you may find these Microsoft articles helpful:

• Autocorrect, auto capitalize, and auto format your messages
• Add or remove AutoCorrect entries in Outlook

I hope this information is helpful. Should you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to share them in the comment below. I'm very happy to help.  

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Answer 2

In new Outlook for Windows, a restart is not the documented fix for this behavior.

Try these checks instead:

1. In the message compose window, go to Editor > Editor Settings.
2. Turn off autocorrect and auto capitalization there.
3. If the Editor button is not visible, expand the ribbon to reveal more options.
4. If Outlook is still changing DEs to Des, check the proofing language used by Microsoft Editor. AutoCorrect and auto-capitalize in new Outlook currently apply only to English languages.
5. If Outlook is using English, that can still cause language-based corrections. Changing the Outlook display language/region to the language that matches the text being written can stop unwanted English-style corrections.

Adding a word to the dictionary is different from AutoCorrect entries. If the change is coming from AutoCorrect, add DEs as an AutoCorrect entry:

• Go to the AutoCorrect settings.
• In Replace, enter the unwanted form.
• In With, enter DEs.
• Add the entry.

If there is already an AutoCorrect entry that changes DEs or a similar pattern, remove it from the AutoCorrect list.

Closing and reopening Outlook is already sufficient for the documented settings changes in this context. A full PC reboot is not identified as required.

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• Autocorrect, auto capitalize, and auto format your messages
• Add or remove AutoCorrect entries in Outlook
• How to Disable Auto-Capitalization of the Letter "i" in New Outlook? - Microsoft Q&A
• How can I disable auto capitalize function in web Outlook with missing "editor" button? - Microsoft Q&A