How to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word

Video How to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word integrates a spell checking, grammar checker, and actively supports many types of dictionaries. Do you know how to use this feature effectively? Join us to learn how to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word offline.

In modern society, thousands of digital format content are produced every day. Spelling and grammar mistakes when typing are hard to avoid. Compared to using a pen, this error detection is not easy. Therefore, Microsoft Word - the leading text editor software, has built-in spell checking and grammar extremely useful.

Basically, just opening Microsoft Word, these two features will automatically be activated, however, there are still many ways to customize them. For example, you can use AutoCorrect to speed up typing. In addition, Microsoft Word has a dictionary list that contains many other smart options and features.

How to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word

Check spelling by line

By default, Word checks spelling by line. Missing words will display the red line below. To fix this, right-click on the word and select the word you want to type in the pop-up menu.

Of course, not every word Word knows, especially the names. To have Word ignore the correct "spelling mistake", click Ignore All . If you plan to use the word multiple times, click Add to Dictionary to have Word memorize the word.

How to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word

Check the grammar by line

Grammar checking is the same as above but grammatical errors will be marked with a blue line. To manage grammar checking settings, go to File> Options> Proofing .

How to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word

Manually check spelling and grammar

To check the entire document, click the Review tab , and then click the Manual Spell and Grammar Checking button . In a simpler way, press F7 key and you're done.

Word carefully examines each error and allows you to correct it. This solution is faster than finding each error on the screen itself. Use this method when dealing with long documents.

To skip words in the current document, go to File> Options> Proofing> Recheck Document .

How to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word

Change language

If you want to check the spelling and grammar of many different languages, click the Review tab , select the Language button , click Set Proofing Language .

The languages ​​you have installed will show a small icon to the left of their name so you can convert them immediately. In addition, you can also set the default language for all documents here.

How to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word

Turn off the spell check feature

If you want to turn off the spelling checker completely when handling documents from a lot of words Microsoft Word doesn't understand, click File> Options> Proofing . Scroll down to When correcting spelling and grammar , uncheck the Check spelling as you type box . This action will block red and blue lines from appearing as you type. Instead, Word will only check spelling when you click the Spelling & Grammar button .

How to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word

Alternatively, you can turn off all spelling or grammar checking for working documents by going back to File> Options> Proofing , scrolling down to that window, and checking the box next to Hide spelling errors in. this document only and Hide grammar errors in this document only .

Finally, you can control the spelling on each paragraph. Select some text, click the Set Proofing Language button in Review> Language . Use the options in the box to turn off grammar checking for selected text.

AutoCorrect

The AutoCorrect feature can automatically replace the letters you type with the correct word. It is enabled by default, replacing common spelling errors like "realyl" with "really." You can turn off AutoCorrect or manage the list of automatically corrected words and add the words you want.

This feature also contributes to increased typing speed. For example, if you frequently type a sentence like "Hello, my name is Bob Smith," you can create a rule for AutoCorrect that extends the abbreviation "hmbs" to "Hello, my name is Bob Smith" when typing it. .

To manage AutoCorrect, click File> Options> Proofing> AutoCorrect Options .

How to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word

Check spelling, grammar in PowerPoint, Excel and other office applications

PowerPoint also checks spelling by lines and it works similarly to Microsoft Word. However, Microsoft Excel handles a different data type, so the software does not automatically notify users of arising errors.

In Excel, you must enable the spelling check feature by navigating to Review> Spelling on the Ribbon .

Become a professional dictionary user

If you become a professional dictionary user, you can take the spell checking tool to the next level. You don't even need to rely on Cortana anymore. Here are some of the most interesting dictionary features in Microsoft Word:

Delete words from the dictionary

Occasionally, you should take time to clean up the dictionary. Maybe, you accidentally added a few words or lots of words related to a project that are no longer needed.

To remove the word from the custom dictionary, go to File> Options> Proofing , click Custom Dictionaries under When correcting spelling in Microsoft Office programs .

Select the dictionary you want to delete from, click Edit . Next, select Edit word , highlight the word you want to delete, click Delete . To delete the entire dictionary, click Delete all .

How to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word

Two custom dictionaries

When you navigate to File> Options> Proofing> Custom Dictionaries , you will see two custom dictionaries: CUSTOM.dic and RoamingCustom.dic .

Then, save the word to the cloud if you want to access your dictionary when signing in to other computers. The word in CUSTOM.dic appears only on the dictionary installer.

How to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word

Add new dictionary

Overall, there are two reasons why people want to add new custom dictionaries. Firstly, you may want to write in another language. Second, you need to add a long list of industry terms (such as medical terminology).

If you just want to add dictionaries for other languages, go to File> Options> Language . In the Add additional editing languages drop-down menu, choose the method you want to use. When that language appears in the box above, click Not installed to download the combined file.

How to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word

To add a third-party dictionary, go to File> Options> Proofing> Custom Dictionaries , click Add. In the new window, select from the DIC file you want to add. To delete the dictionary, highlight its name and click Remove .

Skip custom dictionary

If you have installed many custom dictionaries, there may be times when you want to skip checking spelling for them.

It's easy to use Word to ignore these dictionaries and only correct words. Go to File> Options> Proofing , check the box next to Suggest from main dictionary only .

How to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word

Exclude words in dictionary

The biggest downside to the spelling checker is that it cannot detect typos if the new word is still in the dictionary. For example, how many times have you accidentally typed "latter" instead of "later" or "suing" instead of "using"? Word doesn't let you pay attention to the error because "latter" and "suing" both mean.

If you make that mistake all the time, you can exclude incorrect words from the dictionary. It forces Word to always mark them as wrong words.

To exclude a word, go to C: \ Users \ [username] \ AppData \ Roaming \ Microsoft \ UProof . This directory contains exclusion lists for each dictionary you have installed.

How to check spelling and grammar errors in Microsoft Word

Find the file related to the dictionary you want to exclude words, right-click the file and go to Open With> Notepad.

In the notepad file, type the word you want to exclude. Put each word on each new line and make sure to include semicolons or any other punctuation. When done, go to File> Save to save the changes.

This article has introduced the most important spell checking features of Microsoft Word and some useful dictionary tips. If you know more about checking spelling and grammar in Microsoft Word, please share with us.

Microsoft Word Microsoft Word for Android Microsoft Word for iOS Microsoft Word for Mac

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

How to use Microsoft Words voice typing feature

How to use Microsoft Words voice typing feature

If you're someone who spends a lot of time writing, you'll find Word's dictation tool to be a real game changer.

Microsoft Word tricks to help you overcome your writing block

Microsoft Word tricks to help you overcome your writing block

When the blinking cursor paralyzes you, turn to these Microsoft Word tricks to help you overcome mental block.

How to Turn Copilot in Microsoft Word into a Useful Writing Partner

How to Turn Copilot in Microsoft Word into a Useful Writing Partner

Copilot in Word lets you harness the power of AI to go from a blank page to a finished draft.

Advanced Word features that make your life easier

Advanced Word features that make your life easier

Many users only scratch the surface of what Word can really do. There are many lesser-known features of Microsoft Word that you should know if you want to truly master the software.

Canva, Word or Google Docs for Creating a Better Resume?

Canva, Word or Google Docs for Creating a Better Resume?

Creating a standout resume is essential. Canva, Microsoft Word & Google Docs are three popular options. But which one is best for you?

How to Use Styles in Microsoft Word to Format Documents Consistently

How to Use Styles in Microsoft Word to Format Documents Consistently

Mastering Word's Styles feature can dramatically improve the quality of your work, whether you're creating a business report, an academic paper, or a personal project.

9 Ways to Fix Microsoft Word Documents Not Printing Properly

9 Ways to Fix Microsoft Word Documents Not Printing Properly

Missing text, misaligned margins, or entire pages that won't print can disrupt your workflow. Luckily, most of these problems have easy solutions.

The Best Free Family Tree Templates for Microsoft Word and Excel

The Best Free Family Tree Templates for Microsoft Word and Excel

If you don't know how to create a family tree from scratch, these Microsoft Word and Excel templates can help you.

How to Automate Document Creation with ChatGPT in Microsoft Word

How to Automate Document Creation with ChatGPT in Microsoft Word

Thanks to a handy add-on, you can seamlessly integrate the power of ChatGPT into Microsoft Word, making your document creation process more efficient.

Chem4Word - Latest Version Update 2024, 2025 - Advanced Chemistry Add-in for Word

Chem4Word - Latest Version Update 2024, 2025 - Advanced Chemistry Add-in for Word

Chem4Word - Chemistry Add-in for Word. Discover the latest updates and features in version 3.0.33 and upcoming enhancements for 2024 and 2025.

Latest Version Updates for Recovery Toolbox for Word in 2024 and 2025

Latest Version Updates for Recovery Toolbox for Word in 2024 and 2025

Discover the latest updates for Recovery Toolbox for Word in 2024 and 2025, enhancing your data recovery experience from Microsoft Word files.

How to set up LibreOffice Writer to work like Microsoft Word

How to set up LibreOffice Writer to work like Microsoft Word

Learn how to set up LibreOffice Writer to work like Microsoft Word for a seamless transition between the two platforms.

9 time-saving tips when formatting documents in Microsoft Word

9 time-saving tips when formatting documents in Microsoft Word

A few simple tips can streamline your workflow, helping you create polished, visually appealing documents in just a few minutes.

How to Make Your Word Document Stand Out with a Beautiful Table of Contents

How to Make Your Word Document Stand Out with a Beautiful Table of Contents

A well-designed table of contents can set your entire document apart. Microsoft Word makes it easy to insert a table of contents. Then, with just a few simple design tweaks, you can make your table of contents really stand out.

How to add new fonts to Microsoft Word

How to add new fonts to Microsoft Word

How to add new fonts to Microsoft Word, Can't find the font you want to use for documents in Microsoft Word? Don't worry, you can install new fonts for Word according to these steps

6 key differences between the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Fold 5

6 key differences between the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Fold 5

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 may not seem like a huge upgrade over the Z Fold 5, but Samsung has improved the hardware and added some nifty features to make for a better experience.

Cerebras makes the worlds largest AI chip with 2.6 trillion transistors and nearly 1 million cores

Cerebras makes the worlds largest AI chip with 2.6 trillion transistors and nearly 1 million cores

Cerebras Systems has unveiled the largest AI chip based on the 7nm process, called Wafer Scale Engine 2.

Tech company teaches computers to... taste wine

Tech company teaches computers to... taste wine

A California tech startup is teaching computers how to taste wine. The company is using the technology to help winemakers improve their products and attract new customers.

Google develops AI algorithm that can diagnose skin diseases and tuberculosis

Google develops AI algorithm that can diagnose skin diseases and tuberculosis

Google has been increasingly showing interest in the field of artificial intelligence applications in medicine.

How to set public Telegram account profile picture

How to set public Telegram account profile picture

If you don't like the avatar with your name's abbreviation, you can set a public Telegram profile picture, hide your Telegram avatar from someone but they can still see your public Telegram profile picture.

7 Useful Changes Microsoft Should Make to File Explorer

7 Useful Changes Microsoft Should Make to File Explorer

File Explorer is still an important part of Windows, and with a few smart updates, Microsoft could improve things even more for users.

The latest Thieu Hiep Xin Dung Buoc game code and how to redeem code for rewards

The latest Thieu Hiep Xin Dung Buoc game code and how to redeem code for rewards

Thieu Hiep Xin Dung Buoc will also help you by giving giftcodes and you can use this code to redeem rewards.

Details of DTCL season 14 champions and skills, gameplay

Details of DTCL season 14 champions and skills, gameplay

Leaving aside all the season 13 champions, we will come to the season 14 champions of Truth Arena: Technology City.

6 Ways to Fix Media Creation Tool Not Working

6 Ways to Fix Media Creation Tool Not Working

The Media Creation Tool allows you to reinstall Windows using a USB or DVD.

Apple updates AirPods Max, making these headphones really worth buying!

Apple updates AirPods Max, making these headphones really worth buying!

The expensive AirPods Max are actually getting better. Apple just announced that both lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio will soon be available on its premium headphones.

Google Maps deletes location history from user accounts due to technical issues

Google Maps deletes location history from user accounts due to technical issues

There's some bad news for Google Maps users. The popular Timeline data, formerly known as Location History, may have been deleted from your account.

How to block someone elses Facebook on phone, computer

How to block someone elses Facebook on phone, computer

Sometimes you are bothered by Facebook accounts when they spam messages or send you invitations to join certain groups. If so, you should block that person's Facebook to avoid being bothered.

How to Limit Responses in Google Forms

How to Limit Responses in Google Forms

Google Forms is used to conduct surveys with a large number of participants. While conducting, we can limit survey responses on Google Forms.

Why does climbing Mount Everest have to start at midnight?

Why does climbing Mount Everest have to start at midnight?

Conquering Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, 8,848.46 meters above sea level, is a dream of many people. However, only by setting off at midnight, you have a chance to climb Mount Everest.

How does the process of drilling through the Earth happen?

How does the process of drilling through the Earth happen?

Scientists have made some predictions about the process of drilling through the Earth, although so far humans have not been able to do this.