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Fix Microsoft Word Spelling Suggestions Only Appearing on Right-Click
Question details
The user is unable to see spelling suggestions by left-clicking flagged words in Microsoft Word, as the suggestions only appear when right-clicking.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing a document and attempting to correct misspelled words using the built-in proofing tools.
- Observed behavior
- Spelling suggestions do not appear upon left-clicking a misspelled word; they only display when the user right-clicks the flagged word.
Ensure you are using an updated version of Microsoft 365, as the left-click functionality for spelling suggestions is a feature specific to newer Office updates.
Verify Word Version and Proofing Settings
Confirm your Microsoft 365 version and ensure that the proofing options are correctly configured to display inline suggestions.
In current versions of Microsoft 365, left-clicking a misspelled word opens the Editor suggestion box natively. If this is not happening, you may be on an older version of Word where right-click is the default behavior, or a recent update may not have applied correctly.
Go to 'File' > 'Account' and verify that you are running the latest version of Microsoft 365. Older perpetual licenses (like Office 2016 or 2019) still rely on the classic right-click menu for spelling suggestions.
Open Word and create a new blank document. Type a misspelled word intentionally and left-click the red underline. If it works here, your previous document may have corrupted formatting.
Navigate to 'File' > 'Options' > 'Proofing'. Ensure that the 'Check spelling as you type' checkbox is ticked under the 'When correcting spelling and grammar in Word' section.
If the issue began recently, navigate to 'File' > 'Account', click on 'Update Options', and select 'Update Now' to ensure you have the latest bug fixes from Microsoft.
Use WPS Office for Reliable Spell Checking and Document Editing
If Microsoft Word's proofing features continue to malfunction or if you prefer a classic, stable editing experience, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a lightweight, free alternative with highly compatible document editing and intuitive spell-check features.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files directly without losing any formatting.
- 3. Check Spelling: Simply right-click any word underlined in red to instantly view and apply accurate spelling suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Word change to left-click for spelling suggestions?
Microsoft updated the Editor feature in newer versions of Microsoft 365 so that left-clicking a flagged word brings up a streamlined suggestion menu. This UI change was designed to improve editing speed and visibility.
Can I force Microsoft Word to only show suggestions on right-click again?
In Microsoft 365, the left-click Editor menu is the standard default and cannot be entirely disabled. However, you can still right-click the word to access a combined context menu that includes spelling options.
What should I do if spell check stops working entirely in Word?
Check your language settings. Highlight all text (Ctrl+A), go to the 'Review' tab, click 'Language' > 'Set Proofing Language', and ensure the 'Do not check spelling or grammar' box is unchecked.
