--- title: "Why Have Text Predictions Disappeared from Word and Outlook?" url: "https://kesuk.net/word-outlook-text-predictions-off-by-default.md" canonical: "https://kesuk.net/word-outlook-text-predictions-off-by-default/" published: "2026-09-02" modified: "2026-10-15" author: "KES Team" tags: - "Microsoft 365" - "News" - "Microsoft 365 updates" - "Microsoft Word" - "Outlook" - "Outlook for Mac" - "Text predictions" - "Word for Windows" --- # Why Have Text Predictions Disappeared from Word and Outlook? **Microsoft is turning text predictions off by default in selected versions of Word and Outlook.** The feature is not being removed, and users who find the grey suggested phrases helpful can switch it back on. The change explains why text predictions may appear to have suddenly disappeared after an Office update. It is a default-setting change rather than a fault with your Microsoft 365 account, keyboard or document. Microsoft announced the change on **1 September 2026**. It is rolling out by application and build, so two people in the same business may see different behaviour for a while. ## What is Microsoft changing? Text predictions anticipate words or phrases as you type. In Word and Outlook, a suggestion normally appears in lighter text and can be accepted with the **Tab** or **Right Arrow** key. Microsoft says the feature will now be off by default in the affected releases. Its stated aim is to give people more control and avoid unwanted suggestions interrupting their writing. This is different from spell checking, grammar suggestions, AutoCorrect and Copilot. Those features have separate settings. Turning text predictions back on does not enable Copilot, and leaving them off does not disable ordinary spelling checks. ## Which versions of Word and Outlook are affected? Microsoft’s published rollout list names these versions: - **Word for the web** - **Word for Windows:** version 2609, build 20430.20000 or later - **Word for Android:** build 16.0.20326.20000 or later - **Word for iOS:** version 2.112, build 26080127 or later - **Classic Outlook for Windows:** version 2608, build 20329.20000 or later - **Outlook for Mac:** version 16.113, build 26080119 or later The September announcement does not specifically name every Word and Outlook client in this build-based rollout. In particular, it should not be read as proof that Word for Mac, new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web all change on the same day. Microsoft says additional timing will be communicated through the Microsoft 365 admin centre. ## Have text predictions been removed? **No.** Microsoft is changing the default, not retiring the feature. If the option is available in your version, you can choose to show suggestions again. This distinction matters when troubleshooting. Reinstalling Office, repairing a profile or changing a Microsoft 365 licence is unlikely to be necessary simply because predictive phrases have stopped appearing. Some users may prefer the quieter writing experience. Others use predictions to compose routine emails more quickly or reduce typing effort. The correct setting is a user preference, not a security requirement. Microsoft 365 Management ## Small Microsoft 365 changes can create a lot of support calls KES helps Kent businesses keep Microsoft 365 clear, secure and properly supported as features and defaults change. - Microsoft 365 health and licence reviews - Outlook and Word user support - Security, monitoring and administration - Practical staff guidance See our Microsoft 365 management service → ### Has Microsoft 365 started behaving differently? We can separate a planned product change from a genuine fault and help users get back to work. Start a Microsoft 365 assessment → ## How do I turn text predictions back on? ### Word for Windows 1. Open Word and look at the status bar at the bottom of the window. 2. Select **Text Predictions**. 3. Enable **Show text predictions while typing**. If the status-bar control is not visible, go to **File > Options > Advanced** and look under Editing options. The wording or location can vary slightly by build. ### Word for the web Select the **Text Predictions** control on the status bar, then enable **Suggest words or phrases as I type**. ### Classic Outlook for Windows 1. Open Outlook and go to **File > Options > Mail**. 2. Under Compose messages, enable **Show text predictions while typing**. 3. Select **OK**. ### Outlook for Mac Go to **Outlook > Settings > Spelling & Typing**, then turn on **Show Text Predictions**. If the switch is missing, first check the application version and update channel. Availability has varied between Outlook versions and Microsoft 365 update channels. ## Why might one device still show predictions? Microsoft 365 changes rarely reach every device at exactly the same time. Word and Outlook update independently across Windows, Mac, the web and mobile, while organisations can also use different Office update channels. A colleague may therefore retain predictions on one computer while another user loses them after installing a newer build. The setting may also have been manually changed in the past. Before treating the difference as an IT fault, check the app name, platform, version and the text-prediction toggle. This is similar to other interface changes, such as the optional [classic-style appearance for new Outlook](https://kesuk.net/new-outlook-classic-look-appearance-setting-2026/), where different clients can behave differently. ## What should businesses do? 1. **Tell users the feature has not been removed.** A short notice can prevent avoidable helpdesk tickets. 2. **Let individuals choose.** Text predictions are a productivity preference, so there is usually no need to enforce one choice across the business. 3. **Record the affected version.** If several people report the change, note whether they use classic Outlook, Word for Windows, Mac, web or mobile. 4. **Avoid unnecessary repairs.** Check the setting and release version before rebuilding an Outlook profile or reinstalling Office. 5. **Keep Office applications updated.** Older builds can produce different menus and behaviour, but updates should still follow the organisation’s normal testing and deployment process. 6. **Update internal guides.** Screenshots or instructions that assume predictions are on may now confuse new users. It is also a useful reminder to review wider tenant configuration. Our guide to [five Microsoft 365 settings worth checking](https://kesuk.net/5-microsoft-365-settings-worth-checking-in-your-tenant/) covers more consequential controls that businesses should not leave to assumption. ## Quick answers ### Why have text predictions disappeared from Word? Microsoft is turning the feature off by default in affected Word releases. Check the Text Predictions control on the status bar or Word’s advanced editing options to switch it back on. ### Why have text predictions disappeared from Outlook? Classic Outlook for Windows version 2608 build 20329.20000 or later, and Outlook for Mac version 16.113 build 26080119 or later, are included in Microsoft’s published rollout list. ### Is Microsoft removing text predictions? No. The feature remains available; the default setting is changing. ### Is this the same as AutoCorrect or Copilot? No. Text predictions, AutoCorrect, Microsoft Editor and Copilot are separate features with different controls. ### Do administrators need to change anything? Microsoft has not described this as a tenant-wide security or licensing change. Administrators may want to warn users and watch the Microsoft 365 admin centre for additional rollout timing. ## The important point **If Word or Outlook stops suggesting the rest of your sentence, the application may be working exactly as Microsoft now intends.** The September 2026 change switches predictions off by default in specific releases but leaves the choice with the user. Check the application version and turn the feature back on if it helps you. If other writing tools or Outlook functions are also missing, that points to a different issue and is worth investigating separately. ## Microsoft sources - [Microsoft 365 Insider Blog: Text predictions off by default in Word and Outlook](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365insiderblog/text-predictions-off-by-default-in-word-and-outlook/4549085) (published 1 September 2026). - [Microsoft Support: Editor text predictions in Word](https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/Word/editor-text-predictions-in-word). - [Microsoft Support: Use text predictions in Outlook for Windows](https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/Outlook/use-text-predictions-in-outlook-for-windows). - [Microsoft Support: Use text predictions in Outlook for Mac](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/use-text-completion-in-outlook-for-mac). *Microsoft 365 feature availability and rollout timing can change. Check the Microsoft 365 admin centre and the linked Microsoft guidance for the latest information.*