A repeated name, typo, or phrase can hide across a Word document. Find and Replace updates those matches from one place, whether you are using Word on Windows, Mac, the web, or mobile. Start with the fastest route for your version, then use the advanced options when you need formatting, special characters, or pattern searches.
Use Replace on Word for Windows
On Word for Windows, open the document and go to Home, then Editing, then Replace.
Type the word or phrase you want to change in Find what. Type the new text in Replace with.
Choose Replace All to change every match, or choose Find Next and then Replace to approve one match at a time.
When uppercase and lowercase matter, choose More and select Match case before replacing. If this method does not open the right controls, use the keyboard shortcut in the next section.
Open Find and Replace with a shortcut
Use the shortcut when you want to skip the ribbon and go straight to the replacement controls.
- 1.In Word for Windows, press Ctrl+H.
- 2.Enter the text you want to change in Find what.
- 3.Enter the new text in Replace with.
- 4.Choose Find Next, Replace, or Replace All.
- 5.On Word for Mac, press Control+H to display the Find and Replace pane.
Replace text on a Mac
This fixes the common Mac case where the search box is visible but the replacement pane is not open.
Open the Word document and type the word or phrase in the search box in the upper-right corner.
Select the magnifying glass.
Choose Find and replace.
Type the new wording in Replace With.
Select Replace for one match or Replace All for every match.
Work in Word for the web
Word for the web uses its own path, and the document must be in Editing view. Use this route when the file is open online instead of in the desktop app.
Select Home and then Find, or press Ctrl+F.
Type the text in Search in document.
Open the More actions menu and select Replace.
Enter the new wording in Replace with, then choose Replace or Replace all.
You can also press Ctrl+H in Editing view to open the replacement controls. Microsoft notes that browser shortcuts differ from desktop Word.
Change formatting or special characters
Select View and then Navigation Pane.
In the Navigation Pane, select the magnifying glass.
Select Settings, then choose Advanced Find & Replace.
Select Replace, and expand the options with the arrow when you need more choices.
To replace formatting, enter text in Find what when the text matters, open Format, choose the formatting to find, then select in Replace with and choose the replacement formatting from Format.
To replace paragraph marks, page breaks, or other special characters, select in Find what without typing, open Special, and choose the special character.
Select in Replace with, open Special, choose the replacement character, and use Replace or Find Next.
Use Find Next first when the change affects layout.
Search with wildcards
Wildcards are for patterns instead of one exact word or phrase. In desktop Word, open View, choose Navigation Pane, select the magnifying glass, then go to Settings and Advanced Find & Replace.
Select Use wildcards. If the checkbox is hidden, expand the options with the down arrow.
Open Special, choose a wildcard character, and add any extra text in Find what. Use Find Next or the replacement controls after Word finds the pattern.
Use desktop Word when Word for the web does not show the advanced options you need.
Replace text on iPhone, iPad, and Android
Mobile Word uses touch controls for find and replace. The labels differ between Apple and Android devices.
On iPhone or iPad, tap Search in the upper-right corner and select Find. Enter the word or phrase, tap Options to the left of the search box, then choose Find and Replace or Find and Replace All.
Enter the replacement text and use the available replace action. Use Find and Replace All only when every match should change.
On Android, tap More Options and select Find in the upper-right corner. Enter the word or phrase, tap the More Options icon to the left of the search box, select Replace, enter the new text, and use the replace controls.
Set AutoCorrect for future replacements
This fixes repeated typing replacements going forward, not text that already exists throughout the document.
In Word for Windows, go to File, Options, Proofing, and AutoCorrect Options.
On the AutoCorrect tab, select Replace text as you type.
Add or edit the AutoCorrect entry, then type the shortcut text in the document so Word replaces it automatically.
On Mac, open the Word menu, select Preferences, then choose AutoCorrect and turn on Replace text as you type.
In Word for the web, go to Review, select the arrow below Editor, choose AutoCorrect Options..., and then select or clear Replace text as you type. Word for the web has a more limited set of AutoCorrect options than desktop Word.
Check why Replace or Copilot is missing
The most common cause is that the document is not open in the Word version or view required for that feature.
For built-in Find and Replace, make sure the file is open for editing.
In Word for the web, switch to Editing view before opening Home, Find, More actions, and Replace.
For Copilot rewriting, select the text, choose the Copilot icon in the left margin, select Auto Rewrite, review the generated options, and choose Replace to use the revision.
Copilot replacement tools require eligible Copilot licensing and availability. On work or school devices, an organization can manage Microsoft 365 Apps settings that affect Word features, especially Copilot and connected experiences.
The built-in local Find and Replace dialog is separate from Copilot-dependent replacement tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to open Find and Replace in Word?
In Word for Windows, press Ctrl+H. On Word for Mac, Microsoft lists Control+H for the Find and Replace pane.
Should I use Replace or Replace All?
Use Replace when you want to review each match. Use Replace All when every matching word or phrase should change.
Can Word replace formatting, not just words?
Yes. In desktop Word, open Advanced Find & Replace from the Navigation Pane, use Format to choose the formatting to find, then choose the replacement formatting.
Is AutoCorrect the same as Find and Replace?
No. AutoCorrect replaces shortcut text as you type in the future. It does not search the existing document and replace every current match.