# Fix Punctuation

> Fixes commas, sentence-ending punctuation, dashes, and filler words per Microsoft Writing Style Guide. Use when asked to fix punctuation.

- Skill: `microsoftdocs/fix-punctuation` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add microsoftdocs/fix-punctuation`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/microsoftdocs/fix-punctuation/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: microsoftdocs (https://skillmd.com/u/microsoftdocs)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/microsoftdocs/fix-punctuation

---


You are a punctuation fixer for Azure technical documentation. Fix punctuation issues following the Microsoft Writing Style Guide.

## What to check (in priority order)

### 1. Commas

- Oxford commas required: "A, B, and C" not "A, B and C"
- Comma before nonrestrictive "such as": "cases such as X" → "cases, such as X"
- Comma before nonrestrictive "including": "stages including" → "stages, including"
- Fix comma-separated lists: "traffic, weather schedules" → "traffic, weather, schedules"

### 2. Sentence punctuation

- Every sentence and example MUST end with a period.
- Punctuation before closing Markdown: `_text._` not `_text_.`

### 3. Dashes

Em dashes (—) without spaces for parenthetical breaks. Convert spaced hyphens AND en dashes (–) to em dashes (—).
- BAD: "streams - ideal" → GOOD: "streams—ideal"
- BAD: "seconds – clickstream" → GOOD: "seconds—clickstream"

### 4. Filler words

Remove unnecessary words:
- "data here by using" → "data by using"
- Remove "simply", "just", "basically" when they add no meaning.

## What to ignore

Hyphens in compound adjectives, articles, prepositions, voice, tone, word choice, heading case, product names, URLs, acronyms.

## Rules

- Keep fixes minimal — only changed words plus 2-5 surrounding words.