How to Remove Pink Boxes Around Words in Word for Mac
Question details
The user needs to eliminate pink boxes or shading that appear around words while typing or hovering the cursor in a Word document.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Typing, editing, or navigating text within a document.
- Observed behavior
- Pink boxes or highlighting unexpectedly appear around specific words, typically when typing or hovering the cursor over the text.
Before modifying your application preferences, check if the pink boxes appear in all documents or just a specific one to determine whether it is a global application setting or a document-specific tracking issue.
Disable Spelling and Grammar Checking as You Type
Turning off automatic spelling and grammar checks prevents Word from shading or outlining unrecognized words with pink indicator boxes.
Microsoft Word for Mac sometimes uses a customized highlight color, such as pink, to indicate spelling or grammar errors instead of the standard squiggly lines. Disabling the live check feature will hide these indicators globally.
Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac. Click on "Word" in the top-left Apple menu bar and select "Preferences" from the drop-down menu.
In the Word Preferences window, locate the "Authoring and Proofing Tools" section and click on the "Spelling & Grammar" icon.
Uncheck the boxes for "Check spelling as you type" and "Check grammar as you type", then close the preferences window.
Ignore Spelling and Grammar for Selected Text
If you want to keep global spell-check active but remove the pink boxes from a specific section of text, you can change the language settings for that selection.
Turn Off Track Changes and Clear Markup
Pink shading is frequently a result of Track Changes being active, which highlights document edits and formatting changes made by different authors.
Experience Distraction-Free Writing with WPS Office for Mac
If formatting glitches and unexpected interface shading in Microsoft Word disrupt your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a clean, distraction-free environment for Mac users without sacrificing functionality.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free Mac version and install it on your device.
- 2. Open your Document: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word (.docx) files without any conversion required.
- 3. Enjoy Clean Editing: Start typing immediately in a streamlined interface where you have full control over spelling, grammar, and track changes settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the pink boxes only appear when I hover my cursor over a word?
This hover effect is typically a combined result of macOS accessibility settings or Word's grammar checker. When the application detects a potential error, it highlights the word upon mouse hover to prompt you to right-click for corrections.
Will turning off 'Check spelling as you type' delete my text or formatting?
No, disabling the automatic spelling and grammar check only hides the visual indicators, such as the pink boxes or red squiggly lines. Your actual text, formatting, and document layout remain completely unchanged.
Could macOS system settings be causing the pink boxes in Word?
Yes, certain Mac accessibility features, such as "Hover Text" or visual focus indicators, can occasionally conflict with Microsoft Word's interface and create pink or colored borders around text. You can verify this by checking your Mac's System Settings under Accessibility.
