19. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for automatically detecting and correcting a spelling error using a plurality of difference criteria comprising the steps of: receiving a word; determining whether the word is misspelled; if the word is misspelled, then receiving a plurality of selected alternate words; for each of the difference criteria, repeating the steps of: (i) comparing the word and the selected alternate words; (ii) for each selected alternate word, if the word and the selected alternate word differ according to the difference criterion then (a) identifying the selected alternate word as a replacement candidate word for the difference criterion; and (b) setting one of a plurality of replacement indicators indicating that the difference criterion has identified the replacement candidate word; if the replacement indicators satisfy a set of selection criteria then selecting one of the replacement candidate words as a replacement word; and replacing the word with the replacement word.
32. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein a first character is adjacent to a second character on a keyboard, and wherein one of the difference criteria determines whether replacing the first character in the word with the second character produces one of the selected alternate words.