Outlook on MacOS - Disabled autocorrect keeps functioning

Question

Outlook on MacOS - Disabled autocorrect keeps functioning

Joost Damen 0

Hi, as the title states - There seems to be an issue which is causing the autocorrect functionality to keep functioning even though I turned it off.

I switched off the settings I can find in Outlook -> Settings -> Spelling & Typing.

We frequently go back and forth between English and Dutch spelling, sometimes even mid-sentence when it comes to names and things. Auto-correct is simply not a useful tool in this context, so I would appreciate being able to actually turn it off. It gives an unprofessional impression when emails arrive with sneakily removed letters from words I typed correctly.

We are using Macbooks and are using the latest software version as supplied by our IT provider.

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Joost Damen 0 Reputation points

2026-05-04T08:39:33.31+00:00

I cannot access the "Editor Settings" anywhere. Where can I access this functionality?

I would like to turn the entire thing off, because I am relatively capable of composing a message without assistance.

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Joost Damen 0 Reputation points

2026-05-04T08:39:33.31+00:00

I cannot access the "Editor Settings" anywhere. Where can I access this functionality?

I would like to turn the entire thing off, because I am relatively capable of composing a message without assistance.

Answer 1

Michelle-N 15,545 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @Joost Damen

Based on your description, I understand that despite disabling the autocorrect settings within Outlook's "Spelling & Typing" menu, the application continues to automatically modify your text, which is causing unprofessional errors in your outgoing communications.

Since Outlook for Mac often leverages the underlying macOS system settings for text input, disabling it in the app might not be enough. Please try the following steps to ensure it is completely deactivated:

First, double-check that all relevant toggles are off in Outlook > Settings > Spelling & Typing. Specifically, look for "Correct spelling automatically."

On a Mac, the system-wide autocorrect often overrides individual app settings.

Open System Settings on your MacBook > Navigate to Keyboard > Find the Text Input section and click the Edit button (next to Input Sources) > Please turn it off similar to my environment as below:

User's image

Restart Outlook to see if the changes take effect.

In my environment, once these system-wide settings are disabled, Outlook stops modifying text even when switching mid-sentence between different languages.

After applying these changes, try drafting a test email with Dutch and English names. If the issue continues, it would be very helpful to know:

Your current Outlook version (Outlook > About Outlook).
Whether this happens in both the New Outlook and the Legacy Outlook version.

Please let me know if these steps resolve the issue or if the behavior persists!

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Joost Damen 0 Reputation points

2026-05-04T11:26:51.6266667+00:00

Hi Michelle, thanks.

I tried both of these suggestions.

Just now, Outlook still insisted that the Dutch word probleem should be spelled as problem, and there seems to be nothing I can do except copy a full text from outside of Outlook.

My version is: 16.108.2 (26042616)
I cannot find the old Outlook anymore. Not sure if my organisation still offers it.
It is a new-ish issue however, I cannot remember this being a problem last year.
Michelle-N 15,545 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-04T12:01:41.5766667+00:00

Hi @Joost Damen

Thanks for your update.

My environment is also on version 16.108.2. After testing the word “probleem” and a few other words that were previously flagged incorrectly, Outlook does not automatically change them to “problem”.

So as a first step, could you please try uninstalling and reinstalling Outlook using this document?
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-office-for-mac
DANIEL DAMRAU 0 Reputation points

2026-05-05T10:03:15.3933333+00:00

Outlook for mac is bugged. That is it.

You can disable "Correct Spelling Automatically" in settings and it does nothing. Outlook still corrects spelling automatically. When you disable "Check spelling as i type", it will stop to automatically correct words, but that means no suggestions also, if you really mistyped a word.

I cannot review the source code, but I am very sure the option "correct spelling automatically" does nothing. Instead the check option does both, which is not what the options should do according to the naming. Checking means to make a suggestions about a typo and offer the option to correct it. No automatic correction.
Michelle-N 15,545 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-05-05T13:50:14.5066667+00:00

Hi @Joost Damen

Is there any update from you?

If yes, please feel free to let me know.
Joost Damen 0 Reputation points

2026-05-06T06:17:07.7266667+00:00

Hi @Michelle-N not yet, I had a holiday.

I am now trying to work with all spell-checking disabled as an above user indicates is an option.

Luckily I am quite decent at preventing spelling mistakes and all that, so it's not a particularly important feature for me. If toggling everything off under Detection & Spelling indeed helps I will simply work like that.

Thanks for your assistance so far.

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Outlook on MacOS - Disabled autocorrect keeps functioning

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