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Fix Word for Mac Spelling and Grammar Suggestions Not Showing
Question details
The user is unable to view spelling and grammar correction suggestions when clicking on underlined text in Word for Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Reviewing a document and attempting to correct underlined spelling or grammar mistakes.
- Observed behavior
- Word correctly underlines spelling and grammar issues, but fails to display a menu of correction suggestions when the marked text is clicked.
Verify that your document's text is set to the correct proofing language and that you are not actively hiding spelling errors via the document settings.
Enable Spelling and Grammar Checking in Preferences
Check Microsoft Word's built-in preferences to ensure the background checking tools are fully enabled to display suggestions.
Sometimes the spelling and grammar suggestions fail to appear if the underlying checking processes are paused, disabled, or if the preferences have been inadvertently changed during an update.
Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac. Click on 'Word' in the top Apple menu bar and select 'Preferences' from the dropdown list.
In the Word Preferences window, locate the 'Authoring and Proofing Tools' section and click on 'Spelling & Grammar'.
Ensure that the boxes for 'Check spelling as you type' and 'Check grammar as you type' are checked. Additionally, make sure that 'Hide spelling errors in this document' is unchecked.
Close the Preferences window and completely quit Microsoft Word. Reopen your document and click on a misspelled word to see if suggestions now appear.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Mac Document Editing
If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to give you trouble with basic features like spell check, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with a built-in spell checker that works flawlessly on macOS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word highlight misspelled words but not offer corrections?
This usually occurs if the background spelling checker is partially disabled in Word Preferences, or if the proofing language assigned to the text does not match the actual language being typed.
How do I change the proofing language in Word for Mac?
Highlight the text in your document, click the 'Tools' menu at the top, select 'Language', and choose the appropriate language. Ensure the 'Do not check spelling or grammar' box is unchecked.
Can a corrupted custom dictionary cause spelling suggestions to disappear?
Yes. If your custom dictionary is corrupted, Word might struggle to generate suggestions. You can manage or reset your dictionaries by going to Word > Preferences > Spelling & Grammar > Dictionaries.
