How to Remove 'Review Selection in Editor' from Word Context Menu
Question details
The user wants to remove the 'Review Selection in Editor' option from the top of the right-click context menu in Word 365 so that the 'Cut' command appears first again.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Right-clicking highlighted text to quickly use standard clipboard commands like Cut or Copy.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Review Selection in Editor' command appears at the very top of the context menu, causing users to accidentally click it instead of 'Cut'.
Before making changes with VBA macros, you should back up your Normal.dotm template file to prevent any accidental loss of your default Microsoft Word settings.
Use a VBA Macro to Remove the Menu Item
Since Word 365 does not offer a built-in interface to edit the right-click menu, you must use a VBA macro to delete the command directly from the Text command bar.
Microsoft Word handles context menus through its command bar system. Because this specific addition cannot be disabled through the standard Options menu, a small Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) script is required.
Running this macro will modify your Normal template, ensuring the menu change persists across all your new documents.
Press Alt + F11 on your keyboard while Microsoft Word is open to launch the Visual Basic for Applications window.
Click on 'Insert' in the top menu bar and select 'Module' to open a blank coding workspace.
Type the specific VBA command to delete the control. For example, you will use the Application.CommandBars object targeting 'Text' and the control named 'Review Selection in Editor'.
Press F5 or click the green 'Run' arrow on the toolbar to execute the code and remove the menu item.
Close the VBA editor. When you exit Word completely, click 'Save' if you are prompted to save changes to the Normal template.
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If relying on complex VBA macros just to fix a right-click menu feels overwhelming, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a clean, intuitive, and user-friendly word processor that prioritizes standard editing tools without cluttering your workflow.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Microsoft add 'Review Selection in Editor' to the top of the menu?
Microsoft integrated the Editor feature directly into the top of Word 365's context menu to encourage users to utilize its advanced grammar and style checking tools, although it disrupted the traditional placement of the 'Cut' command.
Can I rearrange the right-click menu items without using VBA code?
No, currently Word 365 does not provide a standard user interface or settings menu to easily customize, reorder, or remove items from the right-click context menu.
Will updating Word bring back the removed menu item?
Yes, major Office updates or repairing your Microsoft Office installation may reset the Normal template and restore default command bars, which means you might need to run the VBA macro again.
Where is the Normal template located so I can back it up?
The Normal.dotm template is typically located in your user profile directory under AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates. You can copy this file to another folder to create a secure backup.
