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License & Subscription Issues

Why Word Plagiarism Checker and PowerPoint Designer Are Missing

Partner EditorPartner Editor Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to locate or use the Plagiarism Checker in Word and the Designer feature in PowerPoint.

Why Word Plagiarism Checker and PowerPoint Designer Are Missing
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 you start

Before troubleshooting, verify which version of Microsoft Office you currently have installed, as feature availability depends entirely on your specific license type.

Solution 1Recommended

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.

1
Open your application

Launch Microsoft Word or Microsoft PowerPoint on your computer.

2
Navigate to account settings

Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the screen, then select 'Account' from the menu on the bottom left.

3
Check your product information

Look under the 'Product Information' section. Verify whether your installed license says 'Microsoft 365' or a standalone version like 'Office Home and Student 2021'.

4
Sign in to activate features

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.

Verify License and Sign In to Microsoft 365
Internet Connection Required: Even with an active Microsoft 365 subscription, both the Plagiarism Checker and PowerPoint Designer require a stable internet connection to function because they rely on cloud processing.
Free Microsoft Office alternative

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. 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
  2. 2. Install the application: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
  3. 3. Open existing files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Word and PowerPoint documents to continue working without missing a beat.
Completely free to use with a highly familiar user interfaceSeamless format compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx) and PowerPoint (.pptx) filesAccess to a massive library of stunning presentation templates without an expensive subscriptionLightweight application that installs quickly and runs smoothly on older devices
microsoft office alternative - wps office

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.