How to Spell-Check Modern Comments in Word Desktop App
Question details
The user needs to spell-check text written inside the comments of a Microsoft Word document using the desktop application.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Mac version 16.63.1 (and other desktop OS)
- Scenario
- Reviewing a document and adding comments that need to be checked for spelling errors before finalizing or sharing.
- Observed behavior
- The Word desktop application fails to highlight or check spelling errors within the Modern Comments feature, whereas Word for the web handles it correctly.
Ensure your document is saved and synced to OneDrive or SharePoint so you can seamlessly transition to the web version for spell-checking.
Use Word for the Web to Spell-Check Comments
Since the desktop app lacks spell-check support for Modern Comments, opening your document in Word for the web provides an immediate workaround.
Microsoft currently limits the spell-checking functionality in the desktop Modern Comments interface. However, the web-based version of Word fully supports this feature.
Ensure your current Word document is saved to your Microsoft OneDrive or SharePoint account.
Log in to office.com using your web browser and open the document you were just working on.
Navigate to the Review tab and open the Comments pane. The web application will automatically underline misspelled words in your comments, allowing you to correct them.
Submit Feedback for Desktop Support
Notify Microsoft about the missing feature to encourage its development in future desktop updates.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Reviewing
If missing features like spell-checking in Modern Comments are slowing down your editing workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, fully compatible word processor that reliably spell-checks all your document text and annotations without unnecessary limitations.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download and install WPS Office for free on your PC or Mac.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file. Your formatting and comments will be preserved.
- 3. Edit with Confidence: Navigate to the Review tab to add or manage comments. WPS Writer will automatically spell-check your input as you type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did spell check stop working in my Word comments?
Microsoft recently introduced the 'Modern Comments' feature to its desktop apps (such as Mac version 16.63.1). This new interface currently lacks the native ability to spell-check text inside the comment bubbles, unlike the older classic comments.
Can I disable Modern Comments to get spell check back?
Depending on your specific version of Word, you may be able to revert to classic comments. Go to Word Options (or Preferences on Mac) > General, and look for a checkbox labeled 'Enable modern comments'. Unchecking this and restarting Word may restore classic comments and spell-check functionality.
Does spell check work in older versions of Word?
Yes. The classic comments feature found in older versions of the Microsoft Word desktop application fully supports spell-checking. The issue is strictly isolated to the newer Modern Comments update.
