Why Word Plagiarism Checker and PowerPoint Designer Are Missing
Question details
The user is unable to locate or use the Plagiarism Checker in Word and the Designer feature in PowerPoint.

- Product
- Microsoft Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to use premium design and proofing features within Microsoft Office applications.
- Observed behavior
- The Plagiarism Checker and PowerPoint Designer tools are completely missing from the application interface because the user is running a non-subscription version of Office.
Before troubleshooting, verify which version of Microsoft Office you currently have installed, as feature availability depends entirely on your specific license type.
Verify License and Sign In to Microsoft 365
Confirm that you have a Microsoft 365 subscription and ensure you are properly signed into your account to unlock these features.
The Plagiarism Checker in Microsoft Word (part of Microsoft Editor) and the Designer tool in Microsoft PowerPoint are premium, cloud-backed features. They are exclusively available to Microsoft 365 subscribers and are intentionally omitted from one-time purchase versions like Office Home and Student 2021.
Launch Microsoft Word or Microsoft PowerPoint on your computer.
Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the screen, then select 'Account' from the menu on the bottom left.
Look under the 'Product Information' section. Verify whether your installed license says 'Microsoft 365' or a standalone version like 'Office Home and Student 2021'.
If you own an eligible Microsoft 365 subscription, click the 'Sign In' button and enter the email address associated with your subscription to enable the missing features.

Try WPS Office for Rich Built-in Templates and Proofing Tools
If you want access to professional presentation templates and document proofing without paying for a recurring Microsoft 365 subscription, WPS Office is the perfect solution. It offers a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with numerous creative tools available right out of the box.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install the application: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Open existing files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word and PowerPoint documents to continue working without missing a beat.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get PowerPoint Designer without a Microsoft 365 subscription?
No, PowerPoint Designer is an exclusive, cloud-based feature that requires an active Microsoft 365 subscription. It cannot be purchased as a standalone add-on or accessed in one-time purchase versions like Office 2021.
Why did PowerPoint Designer suddenly disappear from my ribbon?
This usually happens if your Microsoft 365 subscription has expired, you are currently working offline, or you have accidentally signed out of your Microsoft account within the application. Reconnecting to the internet and signing back in typically resolves the issue.
Does Office Professional Plus 2021 include the Word Plagiarism Checker?
No. Even though Office Professional Plus 2021 is a premium one-time purchase, the Plagiarism Checker (Similarity Checker) is part of Microsoft Editor's premium cloud features, which are strictly limited to active Microsoft 365 subscribers.




