To turn off automatic formatting options that Word applies, follow the steps for the version of Word that you are running. Word 2013, Word 2010 or Word 2007. Word 2003 or Word 2002. 1  Word automatically formats items such as headings, bulleted and numbered lists, borders, numbers, and symbols as you type your document. Start Word. 2  On the Tools menu, click AutoCorrect Options. 3  Click the AutoFormat As You Type tab. 4  Under Replace as you type, Apply as you type, and Automatically as you type, select or clear the check boxes for the options that you want to enable or disable.