Office Settings & Configuration

How to Remove Red Spelling Underlines After Pasting Text into OneNote

Bushra Parveen Oct 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to eliminate the red squiggly spelling underlines that appear when pasting copied text from PDFs or web pages into OneNote.

How to Remove Red Spelling Underlines After Pasting Text into OneNote

Product: OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Pasting text copied from external sources like PDF files or web articles into a OneNote page.
Observed behavior: The pasted text displays red squiggly underlines because OneNote incorrectly flags the words as misspelled or uses the wrong proofing language for the pasted content.

Before you start

Ensure that the red underlines are appearing on correctly spelled words and not actual typos, and verify that your OneNote application is up to date.

Solution 1Recommended

Paste Content as Plain Text

Pasting the text without its original formatting prevents OneNote from importing incorrect language data or hidden characters that trigger the spell checker.

When you copy text from a PDF or a website, it often carries over background formatting, HTML tags, or specific language codes. By pasting the content as plain text, OneNote will apply your default notebook formatting and local language dictionary, significantly reducing false spelling errors.

Copy the text

Highlight the desired text in your PDF or web browser and press Ctrl+C to copy it.

Paste as plain text using shortcuts

Click inside your OneNote page and press Ctrl+Shift+V to paste the text without formatting.

Alternative: Use Paste Special

Right-click on the OneNote page, choose 'Paste Options', and select the 'Keep Text Only' icon (usually represented by an 'A').

Quick Tip: Using the Ctrl+Shift+V keyboard shortcut is the most efficient way to bypass formatting issues across most modern Windows applications.

Solution 2

Adjust the Proofing Language Settings

If the text is already pasted, changing the proofing language for that specific text block can resolve the red underlines.

Solution 3

Clear Formatting of Pasted Text

You can strip the existing formatting from text that has already been pasted to reset the spell checker's behavior.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Better PDF and Document Handling

If Microsoft Office applications like OneNote frustrate you with formatting and spelling errors when copying text, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative with an excellent built-in PDF reader that ensures accurate text extraction and seamless document formatting.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free office suite.
2. Extract Text Cleanly: Open your source document with WPS PDF, highlight your text, and copy it without hidden formatting bugs.
3. Create and Paste: Open WPS Writer or WPS Note, and paste your text for a clean, error-free reading experience.

Completely free and lightweight office suiteHighly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)Flawless text copying from PDFs using the built-in WPS PDF toolSmart spell check that seamlessly adapts to your local language settingsFamiliar user interface for a zero-learning-curve migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneNote underline correctly spelled words in red?

This usually happens when OneNote applies the wrong proofing language to the text, or when the text contains hidden formatting characters copied from a PDF or website that confuse the spell checker.

Can I turn off spell check completely in OneNote?

Yes. You can disable it by going to File > Options > Proofing, and unchecking the box for 'Check spelling as you type'.

Does the PDF reader I use affect how text is pasted into OneNote?

Yes. Different PDF readers extract text differently. Some may include hidden line breaks or formatting codes. If you experience persistent spelling underlines, trying an alternative reader like WPS PDF can yield cleaner copied text.

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