Where to find spell check and how to start it
Microsoft Word runs spell check automatically as you type — you will see red squiggly lines under words it does not recognize. To check your entire document at once, go to the Review tab at the top of the window, then click Spelling & Grammar. A panel will open on the right side showing each potential error one at a time.
If you are using Word on a Mac, the Review tab is in the same place. On a phone or tablet, tap the three dots (more options), then Review, then Spelling. The process is the same — Word shows you one error at a time and lets you decide what to do with it.
You can also press F7 on a Windows keyboard to open spell check when ready, no matter which tab you are on. On a Mac, use Command + Shift + Colon to do the same thing.
Key Takeaways
- Red squiggly lines appear as you type, but running the full spell check from the Review tab catches errors you may have missed.
- For each flagged word, you can accept Word's suggestion, ignore it once, ignore it always, or add it to your dictionary so Word stops flagging it.
- Spell check does not catch words that are spelled correctly but used in the wrong context — you still need to read your work.
- You can turn off automatic spell check in settings if the red lines distract you while drafting, then run a full check when you are done.
What happens when Word finds a potential error
When you open the spelling panel, Word highlights the first word it thinks is wrong and shows you suggestions below it. The most likely correction appears at the top. You have four choices: click Change to replace it with the suggestion, click Change All to replace every instance of that misspelling in the document, click Ignore to skip this one occurrence, or click Ignore All to skip every instance of that word.
If none of the suggestions are right, you can type the correct word into the box yourself and then click Change. This is useful when Word suggests something that is close but not what you meant.
If the word is correct — a name, a technical term, or a word that is not in Word's dictionary — click Add to Dictionary. Word will stop flagging it from that point forward, in this document and all future documents on your computer.
The difference between spell check and grammar check
Spell check finds misspelled words. Grammar check finds problems with sentence structure, punctuation, and word choice — like a comma in the wrong place, or using "their" instead of "there". In Word, both run at the same time when you click Spelling & Grammar. The panel treats them the same way: you see the error, Word suggests a fix, and you choose to change it or ignore it.
Grammar suggestions are often more debatable than spelling ones. Word might flag a sentence fragment that you used intentionally for style, or suggest a change that sounds awkward to you. You do not have to accept every grammar suggestion — read it, decide if it improves your writing, and click Ignore if you disagree.
Why spell check misses some errors
Spell check only catches words that are misspelled. If you type "the cat sat on the table" when you meant "the cat sat on the chair", spell check will not catch it because all the words are spelled correctly. You have to read your work yourself to find those mistakes.
Word also does not know every word in existence. Proper nouns (names of people and places), technical terms, and newer slang may be flagged even though they are spelled right. That is why the Add to Dictionary button exists — to teach Word about words it should recognize.
Turning off the red squiggly lines while you draft
Some writers find the red lines distracting while they are getting words on the page. You can turn off automatic spell check and run it only when you are ready. Go to File, then Options (on a Mac, Word menu, then PreferencesProofing on the left side. Uncheck the box that says Check spelling as you type. The red lines will disappear, but you can still run a full spell check whenever you want by pressing F7 or using the Review tab.
You can also uncheck Mark grammar errors as you type if the blue squiggly lines bother you. Both options are in the same Proofing menu.
Using spell check on shared documents and templates
If you are working on a document that someone else created or that is based on a template, spell check works the same way. It checks only the text you can edit — it will not flag text in headers, footers, or text boxes unless you click into them first. If you want to check everything, click into each section and run spell check separately, or select all text in the document (Ctrl+A or Command+A) and then open the spelling panel.
In Word Online (the browser version), spell check works but with fewer options. You see the red squiggly lines and can right-click a word to see suggestions, but the full Spelling & Grammar panel is not available. If you need the full panel, read the document, open it in the desktop version of Word, run spell check there, and save it back.
What to do if spell check is not working
If you do not see red squiggly lines under misspelled words, spell check may be turned off. Go to File > Options > Proofing and make sure Check spelling as you type is checked. If it is already checked, try unchecking it, clicking OK, then going back and checking it again. This resets the feature.
If spell check is on but the Spelling & Grammar button is greyed out (appears faded), it usually means you have selected text in a language Word does not recognize. Click somewhere else in the document to deselect, then try again. If the button is still greyed out, close the document and reopen it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does spell check work the same way in Word 2019 and Word 365?
Yes. The Review tab and Spelling & Grammar button are in the same place, and the process is identical. Word 365 gets updates more often, so it may have slightly newer suggestions, but both versions check spelling and grammar the same way.
Can I add a word to spell check without adding it to my dictionary?
Not permanently. Ignore All will skip that word for the rest of the current session, but the next time you open Word, it will flag the word again. Add to Dictionary is the only way to make Word stop flagging a word permanently.
What if spell check keeps flagging a word I know is correct?
Click Add to Dictionary. This is common with names, brand names, and technical terms. Once you add it, Word will recognize it in all your documents going forward.
Does spell check work on comments and tracked changes?
No. Spell check only checks the main body of the document. If you want to check spelling in comments or in text you have marked as deleted, you have to copy that text into the main document, check it, then move it back.