Volume 31 Issue 4

Issue Date: February 26, 2026 « Previous Issue | Next Issue »

The following articles were included in our Exchange Messaging Outlook (EMO) newsletter published on February 26, 2026.

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AutoCorrect in New Outlook?

A user likes using the AutoCorrect “Replace text as you type” feature in Word and classic Outlook where words are replaced, either because they were misspelled or to more quickly enter longer words by typing an abbreviation. The user has an extensive list in Word but those are not used by new Outlook. He wanted to know where to find that option in new Outlook.

Unfortunately, new Outlook doesn’t have the option to replace text as you type. Its auto correct options are limited to commonly misspelled words and capitalizing first letters of sentences. To enable or disable auto correct, auto capitalization, or text predictions, click the Editor button on the Options tab in a new message. Choose Editor Settings. If you click the floating Editor icon in the lower right corner of a new message, click Customize your Editor then Editor Settings.

New Outlook also supports Auto format options (look for the auto format button on the Options tab when composing a message.) These include replacing ordinal (1st) with superscript, replacing hyphens with dash, and replacing fractions. In addition, you can create (or disable the option) to create bullet and numbered lists as you type.

In Word, look for the AutoCorrect options at File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoCorrect tab > Replace text as you type. In Outlook: File > Options > Editor Options button (Mail tab) then Proofing > Autocorrect Options.

Will new Outlook ever have the option to replace text as you type? While it’s possible it could be added at some point in the future, it’s not on the Microsoft 365 roadmap and won’t be available any time soon.

New Outlook Stops Syncing

If new Outlook stops syncing, and rebooting doesn't help, remove the account from Outlook then add it back. If you are asked if you want to remove it from all devices, try No first.

If you say yes and are using an IMAP account, saying Yes will delete calendar events or contacts in the Microsoft cloud account. Note: if you are using Outlook.com, Microsoft 365 business account, Gmail, Yahoo, or iCloud account, calendar and contacts are synced to your mailbox and you won't lose them if the cloud mailbox is cleared.

If that doesn't work, remove the account and choose Yes, to remove it from all devices. Then add the account back. This clears the cache in the Microsoft cloud server.

Note that if you are not using a Microsoft 365 business account or Outlook.com account, you should export calendar and contacts from the account before removing it from outlook.

The Font is Huge (or Tiny) in Email

This issue comes up in spurts: when composing a message, the text is either huge or tiny. This is caused by zooming in or out, which is surprisingly easy to do without realizing what you did.

To fix it, hold Ctrl as you roll the mouse wheel. This works in messages in all desktop Outlook apps. In new Outlook and Outlook on the web, zooming also changes the message header size.

The keyboard shortcut in new Outlook or Outlook on the web is Ctrl+ plus or minus keys to zoom out or in. Use Ctrl+0 (zero) to reset zoom to 100%. These keyboard shortcuts work in some Windows apps and web browsers too.

In classic Outlook, Ctrl+ mouse wheel will adjust the text size in the notes field in calendar, contacts, and tasks as well as in sticky notes. Ctrl+ mouse wheel is often the cause of unexpected zooming, and it controls zoom in Office apps and some Windows apps and web browsers.

In the reading pane in classic Outlook, you can move the slider on the right of the status bar (under the To-Do bar, if it is enabled) to adjust the zoom level of the current message or when composing a reply. If you want to set a default zoom level, click on the % value when reading a message to open the Zoom While Reading dialog. After setting the zoom level you prefer, check the box to Remember my preference. Note: only newer versions of Outlook support saving the zoom preference when reading messages.

Also in classic Outlook, when you open a message in a new window there is a Zoom button on the Home ribbon. If you need to adjust zoom when composing a message in a new window, the Zoom button is on the format Text tab or use Ctrl and roll the mouse wheel.

Sync Mail with Outlook on the web?

I’m often asked by Microsoft account users why their mail is not available in Outlook.com on the web. When I ask for more details, I learn they set up their Microsoft account using an address that is not hosted at Microsoft. These are called EASI accounts, short for “email as sign in”. This means you can only use the account to sign into services.

You can’t use these accounts to send and receive mail from your domain, unless you purchase a Microsoft 365 business account and move your email hosting to Microsoft. This is only possible if you own the domain.

In order to get your mail in Outlook.com, you need an Outlook.com alias on the account and then can forward your mail to that address.