Office Settings & Configuration

How to Turn Off Spell Check in Microsoft Word Comments

Steve K Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to disable spell check and remove spelling underlines specifically within Microsoft Word comments.

How to Turn Off Spell Check in Microsoft Word Comments

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reviewing, editing, or adding notes to a document where custom terms, names, or foreign languages in comments trigger distracting spelling underlines.
Observed behavior: Red spelling underlines continue to appear in Word comments even after disabling "Check spelling as you type" or modifying the "Comment Text" style to ignore spelling.

Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft Word is updated to the latest version, as the interface options for managing comments and proofing features frequently change in newer Microsoft 365 updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Modern Comments

Turning off the Modern Comments feature forces Word to revert to the legacy comment system, which properly respects traditional spell-check rules and style modifications.

In newer versions of Word, the Modern Comments interface operates somewhat independently of the main document's formatting. Disabling it restores the older, more customizable comment behavior.

Open Word Options

Open your Microsoft Word application, click on the "File" tab in the top-left corner, and select "Options" at the bottom of the menu.

Navigate to General Settings

In the Word Options dialog box, select "General" from the left sidebar menu.

Turn off Modern Comments

Scroll down to the "User Interface options" section and uncheck the box next to "Enable modern comments".

Restart Microsoft Word

Click the "OK" button to save your changes, then completely close and restart Microsoft Word for the interface change to take effect.

Feature Availability: If you do not see the 'Enable modern comments' option, your version of Word may not support turning this feature off. In this case, persistent spell check in comments is a known product limitation.

Solution 2

Modify the Comment Text Style

Setting the Comment Text style to skip spelling checks can work as a fallback, particularly in older versions of Word or if Modern Comments is already disabled.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Distraction-Free Reviewing Experience

If Microsoft Word's persistent spell-check lines in comments are disrupting your workflow and cannot be disabled due to software limitations, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible alternative where managing spell check settings is straightforward, ensuring a clean and distraction-free editing environment.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and run the quick installer.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer, click "Open", and seamlessly load your existing .docx file containing the comments.
3. Manage Spell Check: Navigate to the "Review" tab and click the "Spell Check" toggle to instantly turn off red underlines across your entire document and comments.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) document formats and comment threads.Easily toggle spell check on or off for the entire document, including comments, without interface glitches.Lightweight installation and lightning-fast document loading.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface that requires no learning curve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do red underlines still appear after turning off 'Check spelling as you type'?

In newer updates of Microsoft 365, the 'Modern Comments' feature often operates independently of the document's main spell check settings. This design choice causes spelling underlines to persist in comment bubbles even when global spell check is disabled.

Will turning off Modern Comments delete my existing comments?

No. Disabling Modern Comments only changes how comments are displayed and interacted with in the user interface. All your comment text, threads, and replies will remain completely intact.

Can I permanently stop Word from checking spelling in all future documents?

You can go to File > Options > Proofing and uncheck 'Check spelling as you type' to disable it globally. However, due to the way Modern Comments are programmed, you may still need to disable the Modern Comments interface to ensure red underlines do not appear in the comment pane.

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