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How to Disable the Additional Spelling Menu in Word for Mac
Question details
The user wants to remove the new, additional spelling context menu that appears over text in Word for Mac while keeping automatic spelling correction enabled.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Typing and editing documents in Word for Mac after switching to a Microsoft 365 license.
- Observed behavior
- An additional spelling context menu pops up automatically when the text insertion point is within marked text or when the mouse pointer hovers over a misspelled word.
Please note that the hover-based spelling context menu is a built-in interface feature in recent Microsoft 365 updates designed to offer quicker corrections, and altering its behavior is currently subject to Microsoft's design limitations.
Understand Word's Limitations and Manage Cursor Focus
Since Microsoft Word does not offer a standalone setting to disable this hover pane without completely turning off spell check, the best approach is managing your cursor and submitting a feature request.
The pop-up context menu is triggered entirely by focus. It appears automatically when your text cursor (insertion point) is inside the marked word or when your mouse pointer hovers over it.
Because Microsoft has not included a toggle to separate this specific menu from the general 'Check spelling as you type' feature, you cannot currently disable the pop-up while keeping the red underline active.
Keep your mouse pointer away from words marked with spelling errors. Moving the cursor to a different part of the document will hide the menu.
Open Word, navigate to the 'Help' menu at the very top of your Mac screen, and select 'Feedback'. Choose 'I have a suggestion' to send a request to the Microsoft team asking for a dedicated toggle to disable the hover spelling menu.
Enjoy a Distraction-Free Writing Experience with WPS Office
If Microsoft Word's new spelling hover menus are disrupting your writing workflow and cannot be disabled, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a clean, highly compatible alternative that respects traditional typing experiences without intrusive pop-ups.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version of WPS Office.
- 2. Open your Word documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files to continue working seamlessly without formatting loss or distracting pop-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off automatic spell check entirely in Word for Mac?
Yes. To stop all spelling menus and red underlines, go to the top menu bar, select Word > Preferences > Spelling & Grammar, and uncheck 'Check spelling as you type'.
Why did the spelling menu behavior change in Word for Mac?
Microsoft introduced this hover-based context menu in recent Microsoft 365 updates to provide faster, one-click access to spelling suggestions, although many users find the automatic pop-up visually distracting.
Is there a Mac Terminal command to disable the Word hover spelling menu?
Currently, there are no known macOS Terminal commands or hidden Word preference keys (plists) that can specifically disable this hover menu without turning off spell check entirely.
