Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Increasing the Capacity of AutoCorrect.
Ken regularly uses AutoCorrect to replace short mnemonics with longer text blocks (sometimes much longer). When adding an AutoCorrect entry, Ken noted that the With box appears to have a limit of approximately 1,400 characters. There have been a few rare instances when Ken wanted to have AutoCorrect replace with more characters than this limit, and he wondered if there was a way to increase the capacity of the "With" side of an AutoCorrect entry.
The short answer is that no, there isn't a way. The longer answer indicates there must be some misunderstanding on Ken's part, as the longest text string we could place in the text box was 254 characters; Excel just won't accept more than that in the With box.
Whether the limit is 254 or 1,400 characters, the workaround is the same, however: Break the AutoCorrect entry up into two (or more) smaller entries. If you would have put the larger entry under, let's say, the mnemonic BP27 (for "boilerplate 27"), you could put the divided entries under the names BP27a and BP27b. You could then type the desired mnemonics, in order, and get them automatically corrected to the enlarged text blocks.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3139) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Increasing the Capacity of AutoCorrect.
Solve Real Business Problems Master business modeling and analysis techniques with Excel and transform data into bottom-line results. This hands-on, scenario-focused guide shows you how to use the latest Excel tools to integrate data from multiple tables. Check out Microsoft Excel 2013 Data Analysis and Business Modeling today!
The AutoCorrect feature in Excel can change some of your data in ways you don't like. If you discover this is happening, ...
Discover MoreThe AutoCorrect feature in Excel is a great tool for quickly entering information. Here's an explanation of the feature ...
Discover MoreWant to protect the information that you may be stored in your AutoCorrect entries? Just find a special type of file on ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2021 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: 
Comments