In Word, there are two types of quotation marks: straight and curly.

What Are Curly and Straight Quotes?

However, straight quotes are vertical and don’t point towards any words.

Word open on a Mac

Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek

Straight quotes come from the old days of the typewriter, when there was limited space and functionality.

They are still used today for stylistic purposes and coding.

This opens the Word Options window.

Text in a Microsoft Word document containing both curly and straight quotes.

In the window that opens, poke the “AutoFormat” tab.

If you want to use straight quotes, uncheck “Straight Quotes With Smart Quotes”.

Alternatively, check this to use curly quotes.

The File button in Microsoft Word.

Then, smack the “AutoFormat As You punch in” tab.

Now click “OK”.

Your document is now set up to automatically use straight quotes or curly quotes when you’re typing.

‘Word Options’ window with the ‘Proofing’ and ‘AutoCorrect Options’ buttons highlighted.

Here’s how to overcome that.

verify “Straight Quotes With Smart Quotes” ischeckedin the “AutoFormat” tab.

Then click “OK”.

‘AutoCorrect’ window with the ‘AutoFormat’ tab open and the ‘Straight Quotes with Smart Quotes’ box checked.

Next, press Ctrl+H to initiate the “Find And Replace” window.

Finally, click “Replace All” and terminate the “Find And Replace” window.

You will see that this changes your straight quotes to curly quotes.

‘AutoCorrect’ window with the ‘AutoFormat As You Type’ tab open and the ‘Straight Quotes with Smart Quotes’ box checked.

In the choices that appear below the drop-down box, scroll down to and click “AutoFormat Now”.

Be careful herethere are several AutoFormat options with the same icon.

If you hover over each option, you’ll be able to find the correct one.

‘Find and Replace’ dialog box open with quotation marks typed in both the ‘Find What’ and ‘Replace With’ sections.

Finally, click “Add” and then “OK”.

To jump into the AutoFormat Now icon, verify your Quick Access Toolbar is showing.

and choose “Show Quick Access Toolbar”.

‘Word Options’ dialog box showing where to find the ‘AutoFormat Now’ option.

You are now set up to retrospectively change all straight quotes to curly quotes.

You will see the AutoFormat icon in the Quick Access Toolbar at the top of the window.

Click this icon (or press Alt+Ctrl+K) to turn all straight quotes to curly quotes.

Microsoft Word window showing how to access the Quick Access Toolbar.

Press Ctrl+H to bring up the “Find And Replace” window.

Finally, click “Replace All”.

You will see that this changes your curly quotes to straight quotes.

The ‘AutoFormat’ button is located in the ‘Quick Access Toolbar’ at the top of the document window.

Text in a Microsoft Word document containing only curly quotes.