How to Disable Spelling Suggestions When Left-Clicking a Word in Microsoft Word
Question details
The user wants to stop Microsoft Word from displaying a spelling suggestion pop-up when left-clicking an unrecognized word, but still wants to retain spell-checking capabilities.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reviewing or editing a document where clicking on misspelled or unrecognized words triggers an intrusive pop-up menu that interrupts the writing workflow.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word automatically displays a spelling suggestion pop-up upon a left-click on an unrecognized word, and there is no standalone setting to disable just this specific pop-up behavior.
Please note that modern versions of Microsoft Word do not offer a dedicated setting to disable only the left-click spelling pop-up; you will need to disable live spell checking entirely and rely on manual proofing.
Disable Live Spell Checking and Use the Editor Pane
Since there is no toggle for the left-click pop-up alone, the workaround is to turn off 'Check spelling as you type' and manually run the spell checker when you are ready to review your document.
Disabling live spell checking will stop the red squiggly lines and the left-click pop-ups from appearing while you type. You will not lose the ability to check your spelling, but you will need to initiate the check manually through the Review tab.
Launch Microsoft Word, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Proofing' in the left-hand sidebar.
Scroll down to the 'When correcting spelling and grammar in Word' section. Uncheck the boxes for 'Check spelling as you type' and 'Mark grammar errors as you type'.
Click the 'OK' button to save your changes. The left-click suggestion pop-up will no longer appear.
When you are ready to proofread your document, go to the 'Review' tab on the ribbon and click on 'Editor' or 'Spelling & Grammar' to manually check your text.
Enjoy a Distraction-Free Editing Environment with WPS Office
If Microsoft Word's spelling suggestion pop-ups are disrupting your workflow and the workarounds are inconvenient, consider trying WPS Office. It provides robust word processing capabilities with flexible, non-intrusive spell-check settings, all within a familiar user interface that makes migrating seamless.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word documents seamlessly without losing formatting.
- 3. Customize Proofing: Navigate to Menu > Options > Spell Check to adjust the spell check behavior to match your preferred workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable only the left-click spelling pop-up without turning off the red squiggly lines?
No, current versions of Microsoft Word do not offer a specific setting to disable only the left-click pop-up. You must disable 'Check spelling as you type' entirely, which also removes the red squiggly lines.
How do I check my spelling if I disable 'Check spelling as you type'?
You can manually run a spelling and grammar check at any time by navigating to the Review tab on the ribbon and clicking on Editor or Spelling & Grammar. This will open a side pane for you to review errors manually.
Will disabling live spell check affect other Office applications like PowerPoint or Excel?
The 'Check spelling as you type' setting in Word generally applies only to Microsoft Word. Other applications like PowerPoint or Outlook have their own independent proofing options.
