Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Word for iPad Marking Correct Words as Misspelled

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to fix an issue where Microsoft Word for iPad incorrectly marks ordinary English words as misspelled or changes them into invalid words in their university documents.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: iPadOS (iPad Pro)
Scenario: Typing university documents on an iPad using the Microsoft Word application through a school subscription.
Observed behavior: Word marks correctly spelled English words with red squiggly lines or autocorrects them into nonexistent words. The issue persists even after toggling between American and British English settings.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting the spell checker in Word, ensure that your iPadOS is fully updated to the latest version and temporarily disable any third-party keyboard apps you might be using.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Proofing Language and iPad Keyboard Settings

Check if the proofing language in Word matches your intended English variant and adjust your iPad's built-in text correction features to prevent conflicts.

Sometimes the iPad's native keyboard settings can conflict with Microsoft Word's built-in proofing tools. Disabling system-level auto-correction helps determine which app is causing the spelling errors.

Set Proofing Language in Word

Open your document in Microsoft Word for iPad, select the text you are typing, go to the 'Review' tab, tap on the Spelling icon, and select 'Proofing Language' to ensure the correct English variant (e.g., US or UK) is selected.

Access iPad Keyboard Settings

On your iPad Home Screen, open 'Settings', tap on 'General', and select 'Keyboard'.

Disable System Auto-Correction

Review the settings and temporarily toggle off 'Auto-Correction' and 'Predictive Text' to see if iPadOS is overriding Word's spell checker.

Keyboard Conflicts: If you are using an external physical keyboard or a third-party digital keyboard, try switching back to the default Apple on-screen keyboard to rule out hardware or third-party software bugs.

Solution 2

Isolate the Spell Checker and Update Applications

If changing the language doesn't work, disable the spell checker to verify the source of the issue, then update the Word app to fix potential bugs.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office on Your iPad for Reliable Document Editing

If Microsoft Word for iPad continues to struggle with spell checking and incorrect autocorrect behaviors, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for iPadOS users, offering seamless Word document editing without spelling glitches.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the Apple App Store on your iPad, search for WPS Office, and download the application.
2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and grant file access to your iPad storage, iCloud Drive, or OneDrive to locate your university files.
3. Edit Without Errors: Tap on your existing Word document to continue writing with an accurate, built-in spell checker that won't mark correct English words as invalid.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.doc, .docx) ensuring your university documents remain intact and properly formatted.Reliable built-in spell checker and proofing tools designed specifically for mobile and tablet typing without conflicts.Lightweight application that runs smoothly on all iPad models, including iPad Pro.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface for seamless migration from Microsoft Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are correctly spelled words marked with red underlines in Word for iPad?

This usually happens when the document's proofing language doesn't match the language you are typing in, if a custom dictionary is corrupted, or due to a specific software bug in the Word app's spelling checker on iPadOS.

How do I change the default dictionary language on my iPad?

Go to your iPad Settings > General > Dictionary and tap to select or download the specific English dictionaries (such as British English or American English) you want to use across your device.

Can Apple's predictive text interfere with Word's spell check?

Yes, the iPad's native Auto-Correction and Predictive Text features can sometimes conflict with Microsoft Word's built-in proofing tools, leading to correct words being altered into nonexistent or incorrect variations. Disabling Auto-Correction in iPad Settings can help resolve this.

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