How to Disable Microsoft Editor Suggestions on Mac Without Turning Off Spell Check
Question details
The user wants to disable the new Microsoft Editor left-click suggestion menu without turning off standard spelling and grammar checks.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Editing and formatting documents where clicking on text triggers unwanted pop-up suggestions.
- Observed behavior
- Left-clicking on a flagged word opens the new, intrusive Microsoft Editor interface instead of relying on the classic right-click spell check options.
Check for the latest Microsoft Office updates, as Microsoft frequently adjusts user interface behaviors and adds new toggles based on community feedback.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts and Adjust Editor Refinements
Since Microsoft does not currently provide a direct toggle to disable the left-click Editor interface while retaining spell check, use shortcuts and preference adjustments to minimize disruptions.
The new Editor experience is hardcoded into recent builds of Word for Mac. However, you can easily dismiss it when it appears or reduce the number of stylistic suggestions it makes.
When you accidentally left-click a flagged word and the Microsoft Editor suggestions menu appears, simply press the 'Esc' key on your keyboard to close it immediately without applying changes.
Open Microsoft Word, click on 'Word' in the top Mac menu bar, and select 'Preferences'. From the Preferences menu, click on 'Spelling & Grammar'.
Under the 'Grammar & Refinements' section, click 'Settings' and uncheck stylistic options (like clarity, conciseness, or vocabulary). This limits the Editor to strict spelling and grammar errors, reducing the frequency of the pop-up.
Revert to a Previous Version of Office for Mac
If the new Editor interface severely impacts your workflow and you cannot tolerate the left-click behavior, you can uninstall the latest update and revert to an older version.
Switch to WPS Office for a Distraction-Free Editing Experience
If Microsoft's forced Editor updates are disrupting your workflow, try WPS Office. It provides a clean, familiar interface with reliable standard spell check, completely free of intrusive left-click UI changes.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
- 2. Open existing documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your .docx files directly without losing any formatting.
- 3. Enjoy classic spell check: Right-click flagged words to correct spelling errors, just like the classic editing experience you are used to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Microsoft change the standard spell check behavior on Mac?
Microsoft integrated its AI-driven Editor service directly into Word to provide advanced grammar and style suggestions. As part of this integration, they replaced the legacy right-click spell check menu with a left-click pop-up.
Will Microsoft add a toggle to disable the Editor UI in the future?
Microsoft frequently updates Office features based on user feedback. It is highly recommended to submit feedback via the 'Help' > 'Feedback' menu in Word to request a toggle for the left-click Editor behavior.
How do I turn off all spelling and grammar checks entirely?
If you prefer to disable the checks completely, go to Word > Preferences > Spelling & Grammar, and uncheck both 'Check spelling as you type' and 'Check grammar as you type'.
