Install Grammarly's Outlook Add-in from the Microsoft Store

Grammarly works inside Outlook through an add-in — a small program that plugs into Outlook and checks your writing as you compose emails. The fastest way to get it is through the Microsoft Store, which is built into Windows and connects directly to your Microsoft account.

Open Outlook first. At the top of the window, look for the Get Add-ins button — it usually appears in the ribbon menu, often labeled with a plus sign or the words "Get Add-ins". Click it, then search for "Grammarly" in the search box that appears. When you see the official Grammarly add-in (published by Grammarly, Inc.), click Add or Install. Microsoft will ask you to confirm; click through the prompt, and the add-in will read and set up automatically.

The whole process takes about two minutes. Once installed, you'll see a Grammarly icon appear in your Outlook compose window the next time you start writing an email.

Key Takeaways

  • Grammarly installs as an add-in through the Get Add-ins button in Outlook's ribbon menu, and the process takes about two minutes.
  • You need a Grammarly account (free or paid) to use the add-in; you can create one during setup or sign in with an existing account.
  • After installation, Grammarly checks spelling, grammar, and clarity in real time as you type emails, and you can adjust what it checks in the settings.
  • If Get Add-ins doesn't appear in your ribbon, you may be using Outlook Web (the browser version), which requires a different installation method.
  • Grammarly works in the compose window but not in the main inbox or when reading received emails.

Sign In or Create a Grammarly Account

After the add-in installs, Outlook will prompt you to sign in to Grammarly. If you already have a Grammarly account, enter your email and password. If you don't, click Create account and follow the steps — you'll need an email address and a password you choose yourself.

The free version of Grammarly catches basic spelling and grammar mistakes. The paid version (Grammarly Premium) also checks for tone, clarity, and more advanced style issues, but you can start with free and upgrade later if you want. Either way, you'll be able to use the add-in in Outlook when ready after signing in.

Find and Use Grammarly in Your Compose Window

When you open a new email to write, look for the Grammarly icon — usually a small "G" logo — somewhere in the compose area. The exact location depends on your Outlook version, but it's typically in the top right corner of the message box or in a side panel that opens when you click it.

As you type, Grammarly checks your text in real time. If it finds an issue, it will underline the word or phrase and show you a suggestion. Click the underlined text to see what Grammarly thinks is wrong and choose whether to accept the change, ignore it, or see more options. You don't have to accept every suggestion — Grammarly is a tool to review, not a rule you must follow.

If the Grammarly panel doesn't appear automatically, click the Grammarly icon to open it. Some versions show suggestions in a sidebar; others show them as you hover over flagged text.

Adjust Grammarly Settings for Outlook

Grammarly lets you control what it checks for, which is useful if you find it too strict or too lenient. Click the Grammarly icon, then look for a Settings or Preferences option (usually a gear icon). From there, you can turn on or off checks for tone, clarity, engagement, and delivery — or stick with the basics of spelling and grammar only.

You can also set a writing goal that tells Grammarly what kind of writing you're doing. For email, you might choose "Formal" or "Neutral" depending on whether you're writing to your boss or a colleague. Grammarly will adjust its suggestions based on that goal.

These settings explore to all your Grammarly writing, not just Outlook, so if you change them here, they'll also affect Grammarly in your web browser or other programs where you use it.

Troubleshoot if Grammarly Doesn't Appear

If you installed the add-in but don't see Grammarly in your compose window, the most common cause is that you're using Outlook Web (the browser version) instead of the desktop app. Outlook Web requires a different setup process — you'll need to install Grammarly as a browser extension in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox instead of through the Microsoft Store.

If you're using the desktop version of Outlook and Grammarly still doesn't show up, try closing Outlook completely and opening it again. Sometimes the add-in needs a fresh start. If that doesn't work, go back to Get Add-ins, search for Grammarly, and click Manage My Add-ins to see if it's installed but disabled. If it's disabled, click it and select Enable.

Another possibility is that your version of Outlook is very old and doesn't support add-ins. Outlook 2013 and earlier don't work with the Grammarly add-in. If you're using an older version, you'll need to update Outlook or use Grammarly in your web browser instead.

Uninstall or Disable Grammarly if You Change Your Mind

If you decide you don't want Grammarly in Outlook, you can remove it without affecting the rest of your system. In Outlook, go to Get Add-ins, then click Manage My Add-ins. Find Grammarly in the list, click the three dots next to it, and select Remove. The add-in will disappear from your compose window when ready.

If you want to keep Grammarly but just turn it off temporarily, you can disable it instead of removing it. In Manage My Add-ins, click the toggle next to Grammarly to turn it off. You can turn it back on the same way whenever you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Grammarly work in Outlook Web?

No, the Microsoft Store add-in only works in the desktop version of Outlook. If you use Outlook Web (outlook.office.com or outlook.live.com in your browser), you'll need to install Grammarly as a browser extension instead. Go to the Grammarly website, read the extension for your browser, and it will work in Outlook Web the same way.

Will Grammarly see my email content or save it?

Grammarly processes your text to check it, but the free version doesn't store your emails. The paid version may use some text to improve its suggestions over time, though you can turn that off in settings. Either way, Grammarly doesn't share your emails with anyone or use them for marketing.

Can I use Grammarly in email attachments or forwarded messages?

Grammarly only works in the compose window when you're writing a new email or replying to one. It doesn't check forwarded messages or attachments. If you want to check a forwarded message, you'd need to copy the text into a new compose window.

What's the difference between free and paid Grammarly?

Free Grammarly checks spelling, grammar, and basic punctuation. Paid Grammarly (Premium) also checks tone, clarity, engagement, and advanced style issues. For most email writing, free is enough. You can try free first and upgrade later if you want the extra features.

Why does Grammarly sometimes disagree with my writing?

Grammarly follows standard grammar rules, but English has exceptions and style choices. You don't have to accept every suggestion — if you know a sentence is correct or you prefer how you wrote it, click "Ignore" and move on. Over time, you can teach Grammarly your preferences through its settings.