Smart quotes in Word and PowerPoint (2024)

FAQs

How do you fix smart quotes in Word? ›

Turn smart quotes on or off

On the File tab, select Options. Select Proofing, then select AutoCorrect Options. In the AutoCorrect dialog box, do the following: Select the AutoFormat As You Type tab, and under Replace as you type, select or clear the "Straight quotes" with “smart quotes” check box.

Curly quotes are often referred to as smart quotes. That's because they curve toward the text you're quoting. This is done automatically in most word processors. Straight quotes are what they sound like — straight, vertical marks without any indication of which word or phrase it's surrounding.

Create Smart Quotes in Microsoft Word

To use the numeric codes, press and hold the Alt key, then type the four-digit character code on the numeric keypad. Use ALT+0145 and ALT+0146 for the left and right single quotation marks or apostrophes, respectively.

Choose Pages > Settings (from the Pages menu at the top of your screen). Click Auto-Correction at the top of the settings window. In the Formatting section, select the “Use smart quotes and dashes” checkbox.

Sometimes information is missing or inaccurate in a quote. Words can be added or changed to a quote by using brackets. Changes can be used to correct tense or to add necessary information. Brackets can also be used to make the pronouns in a quote consistent.

Smart quotes—you know, those fancy quotation marks that curl “like this” 'and this' instead of standing up straight "like this" 'and this'—are great for text meant for humans to read. Like serifs and other typographic details, they act as subtle cues that aid in reading.

Nowadays, the “smart” quote function means word processors are usually reliable when it comes to quotation marks. These quotes are “smart” because word processors automatically convert the quotes as you type them and detect which way they should slant. However, smart quotes aren't foolproof.

Smart quotes are usually curved in shape and have different opening and closing versions for use at the beginning and end of quoted material, respectively. Dumb (or straight) quotes are usually simple tapered vertical or angled marks.

Why put quotes around a word? ›

Put quotation marks (single or double) around the exact words of a direct quotation. Inside a quotation, use a suspension to mark omitted material and square brackets to mark inserted material. Use quotation marks to distance yourself from a word or phrase or to show that you are using it ironically.

to repeat (a passage, phrase, etc.) from a book, speech, or the like, as by way of authority, illustration, etc. to repeat words from (a book, author, etc.).

Open Microsoft Word by clicking its icon in the taskbar or desktop. Go to “File” then choose “Options” from the dropdown menu. In the Word Options window, select the “Advanced” tab. Scroll down and click the “Reset” button under the “Reset” section.

What are some general guidelines for correcting floating quotations? Choose quotations that help to strengthen your argument. They should support your thesis statement, hypothesis, or other assertions you have made. Introduce your quotes by identifying the speaker or source/context of the quote.

To change these straight quotes to typeset appearance (i.e., smart quotes): From the Tools menu, select AutoCorrect.... In the AutoCorrect window, click the AutoFormat As You Type tab. Make sure "Straight quotation marks" with "smart quotation marks" is selected, and then click OK.

To turn off Smart Quotes while you run replace... File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options (button) > AutoFormat as you type (tab). Turn it off (uncheck it) and then replace " with " until all are done.