Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Word for Mac Not Checking Spelling or Grammar

Bushra Parveen Oct 12, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where Word for Mac fails to check spelling or grammar in specific documents or on copied text.

How to Fix Word for Mac Not Checking Spelling or Grammar

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Editing a document, especially one created by someone else or containing text pasted from external sources.
Observed behavior: The spell checker ignores errors because the 'Do not check spelling or grammar' attribute has been silently enabled on the text.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, ensure you have selected all the text in your document (Cmd + A) so that the proofing settings apply universally to all paragraphs and characters.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable the 'Do not check spelling or grammar' setting

Use this method to manually remove the hidden text attribute that prevents Word from proofreading your document.

When you paste text from external sources or collaborate on documents created by others, Word may inherit specific language formatting. This often includes a hidden instruction to skip spell checking for those specific blocks of text.

Select all text

Press Cmd + A on your keyboard to highlight the entire document. This ensures the fix applies to all characters and spaces.

Open language settings

Navigate to the top menu bar and click on Review, then click on Language, and select Set Proofing Language from the dropdown.

Clear the checkbox

Locate the 'Do not check spelling or grammar' checkbox. If it is checked or shows a minus sign/solid block, click it until the box is completely empty.

Confirm proofing language

Ensure your desired language (e.g., English (United States)) is highlighted in the list above, then click OK to apply the changes.

Disable the 'Do not check spelling or grammar' setting

Partially Selected Checkboxes: If the checkbox has a dash or shaded box inside it, it means the 'do not check' setting currently applies to only some of the selected text. You must click it until the box is completely empty to clear the attribute entirely.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Word Processing on Mac

If you frequently encounter frustrating formatting or proofing glitches in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for macOS, ensuring your documents are always perfectly formatted and accurately proofread without the hassle.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac from the official website and complete the quick installation.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files to continue working seamlessly.
3. Use Built-in Spell Check: Go to the Review tab and click Spell Check to accurately proofread your entire document.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) file formatsBuilt-in, reliable spell check and grammar tools that work consistentlyFree and lightweight office suite optimized for Mac usersFamiliar user interface requiring zero learning curve

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the spell check only stop working on certain documents?

Document creators can apply specific language settings to their files. If a document was originally set to bypass spell checking, Word retains that hidden setting even when you open the file on your Mac.

How do I stop pasted text from changing my spell check settings?

When pasting text from other sources, use the 'Keep Text Only' or 'Paste and Match Formatting' option. This strips out the original proofing attributes and forces the text to adopt your current document's language settings.

Will resetting or reinstalling Word fix the spelling checker issue?

No. Because the 'Do not check spelling or grammar' attribute is saved within the document's text formatting itself, reinstalling the software will not resolve the issue. You must change the setting within the specific document.

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