Office Settings & Configuration

How to Adjust Microsoft Word Editor Settings on iPad

WPS Editor Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to adjust or completely disable Microsoft Word Editor on an iPad to stop receiving unwanted formal writing suggestions, such as replacing contractions.

How to Adjust Microsoft Word Editor Settings on iPad

Product: Microsoft Word for iPad
Device & OS: iPadOS
Scenario: Writing or editing documents on an iPad where Word's built-in Editor frequently highlights text with overly formal styling suggestions.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Word Editor actively highlights text and suggests formal writing changes. The application lacks an obvious toggle to turn the Editor feature off completely.

Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft Word app on the iPad is updated to the latest version to access all available Editor options and interface settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Word Editor Writing Style to Casual

Since Microsoft Word for iPad does not offer a feature to disable the Editor entirely, changing the writing style to 'Casual' is the best way to reduce unwanted grammar and style suggestions.

By default, Word Editor may evaluate your document using formal writing rules. Switching this setting to Casual tells the Editor to ignore stylistic choices like contractions, significantly reducing the number of highlights on your screen.

Open your document

Launch the Microsoft Word app on your iPad and open the document you wish to edit.

Access the Editor tool

Tap on the 'Home' tab located in the top ribbon menu, then select the 'Editor' icon to open the Editor pane.

Adjust the writing style

Locate the 'Writing Style' or 'Formal writing' setting within the Editor pane and change it to 'Casual'.

Change Word Editor Writing Style to Casual

Document Scope: This writing-style setting change may only apply to the current document or new documents you create. You might need to repeat this step for existing older documents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I completely turn off Microsoft Word Editor on my iPad?

Currently, Microsoft Word for iPad does not provide a built-in option to completely disable the Editor feature. The most effective workaround is adjusting the writing style to 'Casual' to minimize suggestions.

Why is Word Editor highlighting my contractions?

The Editor highlights contractions when its writing style is set to a formal standard, which generally discourages shortened words. Changing the setting to Casual will stop these specific highlights.

Does changing the Editor setting apply to all my Word documents automatically?

No, adjusting the writing style to 'Casual' typically applies only to new documents. You may need to manually adjust this setting when opening older, existing documents on your iPad.

How do I turn off basic spell check on my iPad keyboard?

If you want to disable native iPad OS spell checking and auto-correction across all apps, go to your iPad's Settings > General > Keyboard, and toggle off 'Auto-Correction' and 'Check Spelling'.

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