Make SmartQuotes smarter in MSWord

Clair Dickson · Jun 23, 2009

This works on both Word2003 and Word2007. I believe it will work on previous versions as well.

Note: I usually just turn the stupid SmartQuotes off, but this is another option for dealing with them.

When writing dashes, we writers know that the SmartQuote tends to curl the wrong way.

To force it to go the other way do this:
Press Ctrl ' together, release, then press Shift " together (for double quotes) You should get the SmartQuotes curling the other way.

For single quotes, press Ctrl ', release, then press the ' key.

Kitty Pryde · Jun 23, 2009

Yes! The Smartquotes do not respect the dash! That's so true!

Wow, that's like some serious black belt MS Word settings changing. I'm totally going to try that when I get home.

Steve 211 · Jul 1, 2009

Cool trick. I still use Word '97, and I've always gone and put a letter after the dash, like -d" and then deleted the d, to trick it into giving me the curvy quote.

Make SmartQuotes smarter in MSWord

Clair Dickson

A dark core to every cloud

Kitty Pryde

i luv you giant bear statue

Steve 211

Here and There