autocomplete
A feature in many applications that offers to complete a word or address that is only partially typed in. In word processors, the function often completes common words such as months of the year, while applications such as email use their name/address books to match the text as it is being typed character by character. Also called "type-ahead," autocomplete is especially helpful with Web browsers, eliminating the typing of long Web addresses (URLs) that have been previously entered.
Autocomplete vs. Autofill
Autocomplete works by matching typed-in text character by character, whereas "autofill" detects field types in a form (name, company, etc.) and fills them in with predefined text (see autofill). See predictive text, Smart Compose and incremental find.
Completing the Name
Typing the letters "ro" in the "To" field of this email program is immediately matched to the names that start with "ro" in the address book. The user can select from the list or type in an entirely different email address.