How to Stop Word for Mac Spelling Pop-Ups Without Removing Underlines
Question details
The user wants to suppress the automatic spelling correction pop-up that appears when selecting a misspelled word in Word for Mac, while still retaining the red underline that indicates the error.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Reviewing, clicking, or editing a document containing misspelled words.
- Observed behavior
- Clicking or selecting a misspelled word automatically triggers a Microsoft Editor pop-up. Current settings do not offer a way to disable only the pop-up without also removing the red spell-check underline.
Note that this pop-up behavior is deeply integrated into the modern Microsoft Word Editor feature on Mac. Currently, there is no native setting to isolate and disable only the pop-up while keeping the red underline active.
Disable Check Spelling As You Type
This is the most effective workaround, though it removes both the red underlines and the associated pop-ups to offer a distraction-free writing experience.
By disabling the automatic spelling check, you stop Word's Editor from actively scanning and displaying pop-ups as you type or click on words. You can still run a manual spell check when you are finished writing.
Open Microsoft Word on your Mac, click on 'Word' in the top Apple menu bar, and select 'Preferences'.
Click on 'Spelling and Grammar' from the Preferences menu.
Uncheck the box next to 'Check spelling as you type' and close the window.
Dismiss Pop-ups Manually Using the Keyboard
If keeping the red underlines visible is essential for your workflow, you can quickly dismiss the pop-up window using a keyboard shortcut instead of changing settings.
Submit Feature Feedback to Microsoft
Since the ability to separate these two functions does not natively exist in Word for Mac, providing feedback is the best way to request this feature in future updates.
Experience Distraction-Free Writing with WPS Office
Tired of intrusive pop-ups disrupting your workflow on Mac? Switch to WPS Office. WPS Writer provides a clean, user-friendly interface with traditional right-click spell checking, allowing you to see spelling errors without annoying automatic pop-ups. It is highly compatible with Microsoft Word documents and completely free.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for macOS.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word (.docx) files seamlessly without formatting loss.
- 3. Enjoy Clean Editing: Write comfortably with standard red underlines and traditional right-click corrections, free from unwanted automatic pop-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word for Mac show a pop-up when I click a misspelled word?
This behavior is part of Microsoft Word's modern Editor feature, designed to provide quick spelling, grammar, and style suggestions. Clicking or selecting a word with a red underline automatically triggers this suggestion interface.
Can I turn off the Word Editor pop-up using Terminal commands on Mac?
Currently, there are no known macOS Terminal commands or hidden preferences to disable specifically the Word Editor pop-up. The feature is deeply integrated into the latest versions of Microsoft Word for Mac.
Will downgrading to an older version of Word remove the pop-ups?
Older versions of Word for Mac (prior to the introduction of the modern Editor feature) relied strictly on traditional right-click menus for spelling corrections. However, downgrading is not recommended due to potential security risks and compatibility issues with newer macOS updates.
How do I run a manual spell check if I disable 'Check spelling as you type'?
You can manually check your document by navigating to the 'Review' tab on the top ribbon and clicking 'Spelling & Grammar', or by simply pressing 'F7' (or Fn + F7) on your Mac keyboard.
