How to Use the AutoComplete Feature in Internet Explorer 5

ID: Q217148

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 for Windows NT 4.0

SUMMARY

This article describes how to use the AutoComplete feature in Internet Explorer 5. The AutoComplete feature suggests possible matches for entries you type in the Address bar, a Web page form, or a user name or password box on a Web page.

Suggestions made by the AutoComplete feature are displayed in a list as soon as Internet Explorer 5 starts recognizing familiar patterns. If a suggestion in the list matches your criteria for that field, click the suggestion or press the DOWN ARROW key to display a list of suggestions, and then press ENTER.


MORE INFORMATION

Internet Explorer 5 enables the AutoComplete feature by default for Web addresses, and you receive the following prompt before Internet Explorer 5 enables AutoComplete for forms on Web pages:

AutoComplete remembers entries in Web forms, like the one you just typed. In the future it can check your previous entries and list suggestions as you type.

Would you like to turn AutoComplete on?
When you first type a user name and password on a Web page, you receive the following prompt:
Do you want Windows to remember this password, so that you don't have to type it again the next time you visit this page?
NOTE: There is a "Don't offer to remember any more passwords" check box that disables the AutoComplete feature for user names and passwords on forms.

Adjusting AutoComplete Settings

To modify your settings for the AutoComplete feature or clear all items from the list of form or password suggestions, follow these steps in Internet Explorer:
  1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.


  2. Click the Content tab.


  3. Click AutoComplete.


  4. Click the appropriate AutoComplete check boxes to select them, or click Clear Forms or Clear Passwords to clear all saved items from the appropriate AutoComplete history.


  5. Click OK, and then click OK again.


NOTE: To clear individual items from the list of form or password suggestions, click the item in the list of suggestions for that field and then press the DELETE key. The AutoComplete list automatically appears when you perform any of the following actions on a previously populated form:
  • Type the first character in the field.


  • Press the UP or DOWN keys in the field.


  • Double-click a blank area in the field.


To clear your AutoComplete history for Web addresses, follow these steps in Internet Explorer:
  1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.


  2. Click the General tab.


  3. Click Clear History, and then click OK.


To enable the inline AutoComplete feature for Web addresses, follow these steps in Internet Explorer:
  1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.


  2. Click the Advanced tab.


  3. Under Browsing, click the Use inline AutoComplete for Web addresses check box to select it, and then click OK.


NOTE: Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 uses inline AutoComplete for Web addresses and commands or folder names. This functionality of the AutoComplete feature provides suggestions for what you are typing by automatically completing the address or command inline with the closest match. By default, this functonality is enabled in Windows Explorer and disabled for Web addresses in Internet Explorer 5 (and replaced by a drop-down list). To enable the inline AutoComplete feature for Web addresses, follow these steps in Internet Explorer:
  1. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.


  2. Click the Advanced tab.


  3. Under Browsing, click the Use inline AutoComplete for Web addresses check box to select it, and then click OK.


NOTE: Disabling the AutoComplete feature for Web addresses (see Adjusting AutoComplete Settings) and enabling inline AutoComplete for Web addresses enables the same AutoComplete behavior as in Internet Explorer 4.

IMPORTANT: If the inline AutoComplete feature is enabled for Web addresses, addresses that do not include a resource identifier prefix (for example, http:// or ftp://) are not automatically completed. To work around this issue, either specify the resource identifier prefix for Web addresses for which you want to use the inline AutoComplete feature, or disable the AutoComplete feature for Web addresses and use only inline AutoComplete (Internet Explorer 4 AutoComplete).

How the AutoComplete Feature Works

The Internet Explorer 5 AutoComplete feature suggests matches as you type text in any of the following areas:
  • The Address toolbar in Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, or on the Windows desktop or taskbar.


  • The Open box in the Run dialog box accessed from the Start menu, or the Open dialog box accessed from the File menu in Internet Explorer.


  • Forms (including user names and passwords on forms) on Web pages.


If you are using the Windows Desktop Update component included with Internet Explorer 4 or Microsoft Windows 98, the AutoComplete feature suggests matches as you type in an Address toolbar in Windows Explorer or in the Open box in the Run dialog box accessed from the Start menu. For additional information about installing the Windows Desktop Update component, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q165695 How to Add or Remove Windows Desktop Update
The list of matches that the AutoComplete feature suggests for a Web address, folder, or program name is determined by examining the following items:
  • Your Favorites and History folders.


  • The contents of the folder you specify for files or folders.


  • The contents of the left pane in Windows Explorer.


  • A list of your most recently typed addresses, commands, or AutoSearch queries, which are stored in the registry.


The AutoComplete feature for Web addresses also includes an AutoCorrect feature that can correct common errors. For example, if you accidentally type "htp://" or "http:\\" instead of "http://," Internet Explorer 5 can automatically correct the error as soon as you click Go or press ENTER.

The list of matches that the AutoComplete feature suggests for forms or user names and passwords on forms is stored on your computer and is encrypted to protect your privacy. Web sites cannot gain access to this information unless you submit the form or log in using the suggested password.

For additional information about the AutoComplete feature in Internet Explorer 4, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q171230 How to Use AutoComplete in Internet Explorer 4

For additional information about the AutoSearch and AutoScan features in Internet Explorer 5, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q221754 How to Search the Web From the Address Bar in Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer 4 and 5 supports the AutoComplete feature for Web page forms that use the Profile Assistant tool. For additional information about using the Profile Assistant tool, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q220017 Description of Profile Assistant

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbenv kbtool kbfaq
Version : WINDOWS:5
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto


Last Reviewed: June 15, 1999
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