Member Avatar for pentagon1958

this happens in all office apps..tried office 2003, 2007..driving me crazy...doesn`t do it in wordpad or notepad...and only the number 4...simply changes to number 3 after i press enter...if i type 44, then it`s ok...tried different keyboard, uninstalled office..set preferences to default..scanned for virii, malware...i`m stuck...please help...thank you

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Short summary and a practical fix based on the thread: the fact that the digit "4" only changed to "3" inside Office apps (Notepad/WordPad unaffected) points to an Office-level text replacement, not a hardware or Windows keyboard remap. 's idea to try the On‑Screen Keyboard was a good hardware check; the behaviour is more consistent with a custom AutoCorrect entry.

How to find and remove the offending AutoCorrect entry

  • Word/Excel/PowerPoint (Office 2007+): Office Button / File -> Options -> Proofing -> AutoCorrect Options -> on the "AutoCorrect" tab look through the "Replace text as you type" list for an entry that replaces "4" (or "4 " / " 4") with "3" and delete it.
  • Office 2003: Tools -> AutoCorrect Options -> same list.
    After removing the single rule, re-enable AutoCorrect if you had disabled it; that preserves useful automatic fixes while eliminating the unwanted replacement.

Extra troubleshooting and prevention

  • If the entry keeps returning, check COM add‑ins and templates (File -> Options -> Add‑Ins; and rename Normal.dot/Normal.dotm while Office is closed) — some add‑ins or macros can inject AutoCorrect entries.
  • AutoCorrect entries are stored per user (MSO*.acl in the Roaming profile); back up that file before deleting it if you need to reset everything.
  • Restart Office after changes so the updated list is used.

This explains why a fresh keyboard or reinstall didn’t help: the replacement lives inside Office settings (which is why disabling AutoCorrect fixed it temporarily for ). Removing the specific AutoCorrect rule is the least disruptive permanent fix.

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Member Avatar for cguan_77

have you done keyboard remapping or either edit windows registry? or go to run..then type: osk the on screen keyboard will pop up click number 4 check if it will work correctly..

Member Avatar for pentagon1958

like i said, it`s only doing it in office apps...notepad is fine..one thing i forgot to mention, this started after i installed windows 7

Member Avatar for pentagon1958

problem solved at last..had something to do with "auto correct"...i disabled it...as far as i know i never touched the darned thing...anyway..it`s ok now :)

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