- Microsoft Word Text Predictions feature will release in March 2021.
- Text predictions in Word will work similarly to Google Docs’ Smart Compose.
- Word text predictions can be disabled from the status bar clearing the “Show text predictions while typing” option.
The next update for Microsoft Word will ship with a new text prediction feature. It is currently in development, but according to the Microsoft 365 roadmap page (via Neowin), the feature is expected to arrive for the desktop version of the app in March 2021.
As the name implies, using machine learning, the feature will be able to predict and suggest the next words you are trying to type to speed up the process of writing content on a Word document, reducing spelling and grammar errors, similar to the “Smart Compose” feature available with Google Docs.
When the feature is enabled, you will start typing normally, and then Word will start displaying predictions. If the prediction is accurate, you can press the TAB key to accept it or press the ESC key or keep typing to reject it.
The more you use it, the more accurate the text predictions will get. However, you will be able to turn it off by clicking the “Text predictions” on the status bar and clear the “Show text predictions while typing” option.
The company also says that while your content will upload to the cloud for analysis to suggest predictions, it will only be seen by the machine learning model, no humans unless you submit the text as part of the feedback.
Microsoft originally announced and demonstrated how “Text Predictions” worked last year, but it is not until today that we have a release date for Windows 10 users. It is worth noting that the company is also rolling out the same feature for the desktop version of Outlook to help users compose emails even faster.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].