How to Fix Microsoft Word Read Aloud Saying Space Between Words
Question details
The user wants to stop the Read Aloud feature in Microsoft Word from vocalizing the word 'space' between words and reading sentences in the incorrect order.
- Product
- Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise)
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Using the Read Aloud accessibility feature to review a document that contains pending grammar suggestions or revisions.
- Observed behavior
- The Read Aloud tool explicitly speaks the word 'space' between every word and sometimes reads suggested grammar corrections instead of the original text, causing the sentence to be read out of order.
Before proceeding, save your current document and ensure you have a stable internet connection in case you need to download Microsoft Office updates.
Resolve Pending Grammar Suggestions and Revisions
Accept or dismiss any active grammar suggestions, as Read Aloud may incorrectly parse unaccepted revisions, causing it to read 'spaces' aloud or read words out of order.
In certain versions of Microsoft Word, the Read Aloud feature attempts to process active grammar suggestions instead of reading the plain text. This glitch causes the engine to insert words in reverse order or explicitly state 'space' where formatting corrections are pending.
Find any text in your document with blue or red underlines, which indicates an active grammar or spelling suggestion.
Right-click the underlined text and either select the suggested correction to accept it or choose 'Ignore Once' to remove the markup.
Highlight the paragraph again, navigate to the Review tab, and click Read Aloud to verify if the voice playback is now functioning normally.
Test the Original Text in a Blank Document
Copying the affected text to a new document without formatting helps determine if the issue is tied to hidden document corruption or localized formatting glitches.
Update to the Latest Office Build
Microsoft frequently releases patches for known bugs in Microsoft 365 Apps. Updating to the latest build may permanently fix the Read Aloud parsing error.
Try WPS Office for a Flawless Reading and Editing Experience
If Microsoft Word's Read Aloud feature continues to glitch by speaking 'spaces' aloud or reading text out of order, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for opening, editing, and reviewing your Word documents without the heavy subscription costs or persistent bugs.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
- 2. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files directly without losing any formatting.
- 3. Review seamlessly: Enjoy built-in document reviewing tools without the glitchy playback or formatting errors found in other software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word Read Aloud say 'space' between words?
This glitch usually occurs when the document contains active grammar suggestions, track changes, or unaccepted revisions. The Read Aloud engine attempts to parse the suggested correction XML instead of the plain text, causing it to read formatting gaps as the literal word 'space'.
Can hidden document formatting cause Read Aloud to read out of order?
Yes. Corrupted hidden formatting or unresolved Editor suggestions can confuse the text-to-speech engine. Clearing formatting by pasting text as 'Keep Text Only' in a new document often resolves the parsing order.
How do I report Read Aloud bugs to Microsoft?
You can report bugs directly by navigating to File > Feedback in Microsoft Word, selecting 'Send a Frown', and describing the issue. Be sure to include your specific Office version and build number so the engineering team can investigate the specific release channel.
