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How to Enable Spell-Checking for Uppercase Words in Word for Mac
Question details
The user needs to configure Microsoft Word to include fully capitalized words in its spelling checks, but cannot locate the standard Windows settings menu.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Proofreading a document that contains fully capitalized text or acronyms requiring active spell checks.
- Observed behavior
- Word ignores the spelling of all uppercase words by default, and the standard 'File > Options' menu used in Windows is missing on the macOS interface.
Make sure your document is open in Word for Mac and that the standard spelling and grammar check is already enabled for your current typing language.
Modify Spelling & Grammar Preferences in Word for Mac
Use the macOS-specific application preferences menu to turn off the setting that ignores uppercase words.
Because macOS applications use a unified menu bar structure, settings normally found under 'File > Options' in Windows are instead located in the application's 'Preferences' menu.
Click on 'Word' in the top macOS menu bar next to the Apple logo, then click on 'Preferences' from the dropdown list.
In the Preferences dialog box, locate the 'Authoring and Proofing Tools' section and click on 'Spelling & Grammar'.
Find the checkbox labeled 'Ignore words in UPPERCASE' and uncheck it. Close the preferences window to apply this change immediately.
Spell-Check Uppercase Words Effortlessly in WPS Writer
WPS Office provides an intuitive, cross-platform interface where settings are easy to find. You can quickly configure WPS Writer on your Mac to spell-check acronyms and uppercase words without hunting for hidden menus.
- 1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office on your Mac and open the document you wish to proofread.
- 2. Access Settings: Click on 'WPS Writer' in the top menu bar, then select 'Preferences' from the dropdown.
- 3. Adjust Spell Check Options: Navigate to the 'Spell Check' tab within the preferences window.
- 4. Enable Uppercase Checking: Uncheck the option that says 'Ignore words in UPPERCASE' and close the window to start checking your capitalized text immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word for Mac ignore uppercase words by default?
Word assumes that fully capitalized text typically consists of acronyms or abbreviations (like NASA or HTTP). Since these often aren't in the standard dictionary, ignoring them prevents false spelling errors from cluttering your document.
Where is the 'File > Options' menu in Word for Mac?
The macOS operating system does not use 'File > Options'. Instead, system-wide and application-specific settings are standardized under a 'Preferences' menu, accessible by clicking the application's name (e.g., Word) in the top-left menu bar.
How do I stop Word from flagging my acronyms as misspellings after changing this setting?
Once uppercase spell-checking is enabled, legitimate acronyms may be underlined in red. Simply right-click the flagged acronym and select 'Add to Dictionary' so Word recognizes it as correct in the future.
