Office for Mac Issues

How to Assign a Keyboard Shortcut to Classic Spell Check in Word for Mac

John Wilson Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to quickly access the classic spell check dialog in Microsoft 365 for Mac using a customized keyboard shortcut.

How to Assign a Keyboard Shortcut to Classic Spell Check on Mac

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: The user prefers using the traditional spelling dialog but finds that Microsoft 365 defaults to the newer Editor pane, interrupting their standard proofreading workflow.
Observed behavior: Microsoft 365 for Mac displays the Microsoft Editor pane instead of the classic spelling window, requiring users to manually configure Word's shortcut settings to restore the old functionality.

Before you start

Ensure you have a specific keyboard shortcut in mind (such as Command + Shift + S) and note that assigning a new shortcut will override any command currently using that key combination.

Solution 1Recommended

Assign a Custom Shortcut via Tools Menu

Use Word's built-in keyboard customization settings to map a unique shortcut directly to the classic spelling command.

By digging into the 'All Commands' list in Word for Mac, you can locate the legacy spell check function (ToolsSpelling) and bind it to a shortcut, entirely bypassing the modern Editor pane.

Open Customize Keyboard

Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac. In the top Apple menu bar, click on 'Tools' and select 'Customize Keyboard' from the dropdown list.

Select All Commands

In the Customize Keyboard dialog box, look under the 'Categories' list on the left side, scroll to the bottom, and select 'All Commands'.

Locate ToolsSpelling

In the 'Commands' list on the right, scroll through alphabetically or search to find and select 'ToolsSpelling'.

Assign the Shortcut

Click inside the 'Press new keyboard shortcut' text box, execute your desired key combination on your keyboard, click the 'Assign' button, and then click 'OK' to save your changes.

Check for Conflicts: Before clicking 'Assign', check the 'Currently assigned to' field below the shortcut box. If your combination is already in use, reassigning it will remove it from the original command.

Solution 2

Remove the Editor Button from the Ribbon

Clean up your interface by removing the Microsoft Editor button from your Ribbon and Toolbar, ensuring you rely solely on your new classic spell check shortcut.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft 365 for Mac use the Editor instead of classic spell check?

Microsoft introduced the Editor pane as an advanced, AI-driven writing assistant designed to offer complex grammar, style, and conciseness suggestions. While powerful, it replaces the traditional, lightweight dialog box that many users prefer for quick corrections.

Can I completely disable the Microsoft Editor on my Mac?

You cannot completely uninstall the Editor feature from the Microsoft 365 software. However, you can effectively bypass it by hiding its icon from the Ribbon and assigning a custom shortcut to the legacy 'ToolsSpelling' command.

What is the default shortcut for checking spelling in Word for Mac?

By default, pressing F7 (or Fn + F7 on many Mac keyboards) initiates a spelling and grammar check. In the latest versions of Microsoft 365, this default key often triggers the new Editor pane instead of the classic dialog box.

Will my custom classic spell check shortcut sync to my other Mac computers?

Custom keyboard shortcuts are usually saved locally in your Mac's Normal.dotm template file. Unless you manually migrate this template file to your other Mac devices, you will need to set up the shortcut again on each computer.

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