Many writers’ Word settings are already configured to use Smart (curly) Quotes as they type. But straight quotes can slip in when others add content (because their Word is set to use Straight Quotation Marks when they type).

Straight quotes can also slip in when a writer copies online content and pastes it into their Word document.

How can one fix this madness?

Using Find (Ctrl + F) and Replace is the easiest way to catch and correct them all during final edits.

Find the straight double quotes using: “

Replace them with the curly using: Alt + 0147

It should be fine to “Replace All” so that you don’t have to review them one by one.

Take the same approach for straight single quotes. Find using: ‘ Replace using: Alt + 0146

Are you a WordPerfect user? Typography guru Matthew Butterick has you covered in Typography for Lawyers.