Where to find the spell check toggle
Spell check in Word runs automatically by default, marking misspelled words with a red underline as you type. To turn it off, go to File > Options > Proofing, then uncheck the box that says Check spelling as you type. This disables the red underlines when ready.
If you use Word on Mac, the path is slightly different: Word > Preferences > Spelling, then uncheck Check spelling as you type. The setting takes effect right away in both versions.
You can also turn off spell check for a single document only, rather than changing it for all documents you open going forward. This is useful if you're working with technical terms, names, or code that Word's dictionary doesn't recognize, but you want spell check on for other files.
Key Takeaways
- Spell check is on by default in Word and marks errors with red underlines as you type.
- To turn it off permanently, go to File > Options > Proofing and uncheck "Check spelling as you type".
- You can disable spell check for just one document by right-clicking the language indicator at the bottom of the screen and selecting "Do Not Check Spelling".
- Turning off spell check does not delete your custom dictionary — words you've added to it stay saved.
- You can still run a manual spell check at any time by pressing Ctrl+A to select all text, then going to Review > Spelling & Grammar.
Turning off spell check for one document only
If you want spell check off for just the current document, right-click the language indicator at the bottom right of the screen (it usually shows "English (US)" or similar). Select Do Not Check Spelling from the menu. This disables spell check only in that file and leaves it on in all other documents.
This approach is faster than changing your global settings if you're only working with one file that contains words Word doesn't recognize. When you close the document and open a different one, spell check returns to whatever your default setting is.
Why you might want spell check off
The most common reason to disable spell check is that Word's dictionary doesn't include specialized vocabulary you use regularly. If you work with medical terms, programming languages, proper names, or industry jargon, the red underlines become noise rather than help.
Another reason is distraction. Some writers find the constant visual feedback breaks their concentration. Turning off the underlines lets you write without interruption and check spelling later in one pass, rather than stopping to evaluate each flagged word as you go.
A third reason is performance. On older computers or very long documents, the real-time spell check can slow down typing slightly. Disabling it can make Word feel more responsive, though this is rarely noticeable on modern machines.
Using your custom dictionary instead
Word lets you add words to a custom dictionary so they won't be flagged as errors. Right-click any word that's underlined in red and select Add to Dictionary. That word will never be marked as a spelling error again, in any document.
This is often a better solution than turning off spell check entirely. You keep the safety net for actual typos while eliminating false positives for words you use intentionally. Your custom dictionary persists across all documents and all future sessions of Word.
If you've added a word by mistake, you can remove it by going to File > Options > Proofing > Custom Dictionaries, selecting the dictionary, and clicking Edit Word List. Find the word and delete it from the list.
Running spell check manually instead
You don't have to choose between always-on and always-off. You can disable the automatic underlines and run spell check manually whenever you want. Select all your text with Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A on Mac), then go to the Review tab and click Spelling & Grammar.
Word will open a panel showing each potential error one at a time. You can choose to ignore it, ignore all instances, add it to your dictionary, or correct it. This gives you full control over when you check and which suggestions you accept.
Many writers prefer this workflow because it separates writing from editing. You turn off the distraction while drafting, then do a focused spell-check pass when you're ready to review.
Spell check settings for different document types
Word treats different file formats slightly differently. If you save a document as .docx (the standard Word format), your spell-check settings explore normally. If you save as .doc (older Word format) or .rtf (rich text format), spell check still works but some advanced proofing features may not be available.
If you're sharing documents with others, keep in mind that spell-check settings are personal to each user's copy of Word. If you turn off spell check and send the file to someone else, their spell check will still be on when they open it. The setting doesn't travel with the document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off spell check affect grammar check?
No. Spell check and grammar check are separate features. You can turn off spell check while leaving grammar check on, or vice versa. Go to File > Options > Proofing and look for both options — they have separate checkboxes.
Will I lose my custom dictionary if I turn off spell check?
No. Your custom dictionary is stored separately and persists regardless of whether spell check is on or off. If you turn spell check back on later, all the words you've added will still be there.
Can I turn off spell check for just one paragraph or section?
Word doesn't have a built-in way to disable spell check for a single paragraph. Your options are to turn it off for the whole document, or to add individual words to your custom dictionary so they won't be flagged. You can also select a block of text and right-click to add all instances of a word at once.
What's the difference between "Check spelling as you type" and "Mark grammar errors as you type"?
Spell check catches misspelled words (red underlines). Grammar check catches sentence structure, punctuation, and style issues (blue or green underlines, depending on the type of error). You can turn either one on or off independently in the Proofing options.
If I turn off spell check, can I still use the spell-check feature in Outlook or other Office apps?
Yes. Spell-check settings in Word are separate from settings in Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Office applications. Turning it off in Word doesn't affect the other programs.