Text predictions is the artificial intelligence feature in Windows that helps to suggest the words as you type. Instead of typing the complete word, you can select from the predicted matches and finish your documents faster. Another aspect is to avoid spelling mistakes when you type complex words. By default, Microsoft Office apps will highlight spelling mistakes and allow you to correct before finalizing your task. However, this is not the case with other apps and you may need to proofread or review your document manually for spelling errors. With the help of text predictions, you can choose correct words from the suggestions without worrying about spelling mistakes.
Enabling Text Predictions in Windows 11
Follow the below instructions to enable text predictions in Windows 11:
- Click Start menu icon from taskbar and select “Settings” app from the pinned app list. If you do not find the app, use the search option and open Settings app.
- When you are in Settings app, go to “Time & language” section from the left sidebar.
- Select “Typing” option from the list on the right-pane.
- On the next screen, turn on the switch against “Show text suggestions when typing on the physical keyboard” option.
- If you use multiple language inputs, then enable “Multilingual text suggestions” option. This will help to show text predictions for the language you currently select from the language bar.
How to Use Text Predictions?
Now that you have enabled text predictions in your system. The usage is pretty simple.
- Open Word, Notepad and a chat message where you can type.
- Start typing the word and you will see a small pop-up showing all suggestions.
- To select a word from the list of suggestions, use the up arrow to go to the pop-up. This will highlight the first word in the list, press enter key to select the first word. If you want to select other words, use the right or left arrow keys to navigate. If you do not want to select any suggested words, simply continue to type or press escape move the focus back to typing. Alternatively, you can use mouse or touch for selecting the word.
- You can select each word while typing from the predictions to quickly finish the sentences and hence the document.
The cool part is that you can insert emoji symbols using the text suggestions without searching. For example, type checkmark to insert checkmark emoji or type rose to insert rose flower emoji symbol.
Learn more on how to insert emoji using text predictions in iPhone.
Enabling Text Predictions in Windows 10
If you are still using Windows 10, then the instructions are little bit different.
- Press “Windows + I” keys to open Settings app.
- Select “Devices” and then “Typing” option.
- Enable “Show text suggestions as I type on the software keyboard” option under “Typing” section. Similarly, enable “show text suggestions as I type” under “Hardware keyboard” section.
- You can also enable “Multilingual text suggestions” to get text predictions for all installed languages on your computer.
Viewing Typing Insights Details
If you want to view the statistics of how you use the text suggestions and other typing features, go to Settings > Time & language > Typing > Typing insights” section and turn on “Typing insights” option. This section will start showing how many words are suggested and saved keystrokes. Microsoft claims they do not collect any data when you use text suggestions and the typing insights are only stored on your device.
Text Predictions and Suggestions in Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word also has separate text prediction and suggestion options. Earlier, you could use these options within a Word document. However, these features will no more work with the latest Microsoft 365 Word as they are now part of Windows 11 text predictions and typing insights. You can expect Microsoft to remove these options from Word anytime. If you are using older Word app without subscription, then try the following:
- Right-click on the bottom status bar and select “Text Predictions” option to add it in the status bar.
- Now, click on the “Text Predictions” on the status bar to open “Word options > Advanced” dialog box. Alternatively, you can reach this dialog box from “File > Options” menu.
- Check “Show text predictions while typing” and “Show AutoComplete suggestions” options.
- Click “OK” button to close the dialog and now onwards you will see suggestions and predictions when you type.
Final Words
Though people use English as a communication language, it is not native language for many of them. Due to this fact, there are possibilities of spelling mistakes while sending emails or preparing documents. In addition, every time typing repetitive words may also take time. Windows operating system offers text predictions to manage these situations. However, if your primary objective is to avoid spelling mistakes and save time with that, then voice typing may work better for you. There is also “Dictate” function available in Microsoft Word which you can make use for voice typing.
