How to Turn Off Spelling Suggestion Pop-Ups in Word for Mac
Question details
The user wants to disable the new, intrusive spelling suggestion pop-up in Microsoft Word for macOS to prevent workflow interruptions.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Typing and editing documents where the spelling suggestion pop-up interrupts the workflow or causes dictionary loading delays.
- Observed behavior
- An intrusive pop-up appears for spelling suggestions as the user types, sometimes causing lags, with no obvious setting to disable just the pop-up.
Note that Microsoft Word currently does not have a dedicated toggle specifically for the new suggestion pop-up. The primary workaround involves adjusting your general spelling and grammar preferences.
Turn Off Check Spelling As You Type
Prevent the pop-up from appearing by disabling automatic background spell-checking, then run a manual check when finished.
Since Microsoft has not provided a standalone setting to disable the new writing suggestions pop-up, the most effective workaround is to turn off live spell checking. This prevents the dictionary suggestions from loading while you type, eliminating the lag and intrusive pop-ups.
Open Microsoft Word on your Mac. Click on 'Word' in the top Apple menu bar and select 'Preferences'.
In the Preferences window, click on the 'Spelling & Grammar' icon.
Under the Spelling section, uncheck the box next to 'Check spelling as you type' and close the window.
When you are finished writing, navigate to the 'Review' tab on the ribbon and click 'Spelling & Grammar' to manually check your document.
Submit Feedback to Request a Dedicated Toggle
Since the feature is baked into the UI, reporting it directly to the Word design team increases the chances of an update.
Try WPS Office for a Distraction-Free Writing Experience on Mac
If intrusive pop-ups and UI changes in Microsoft Word are slowing down your writing workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a clean, familiar interface without unnecessary interruptions, while maintaining full compatibility with your Word documents.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for Mac from the official website.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and click 'Open' to load your existing .docx files.
- 3. Write Without Interruptions: Enjoy a smooth, distraction-free writing experience with highly responsive tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the spelling pop-up causing delays in Word for Mac?
The delay is often caused by the application attempting to load dictionary suggestions and online writing tools in the background as you type. Disabling automatic spell check stops this background process and resolves the lag.
Can I disable the writing suggestions pop-up without turning off spell check entirely?
Currently, Microsoft Word for Mac does not offer a separate toggle just for the pop-up UI. You must turn off 'Check spelling as you type' to prevent the pop-up from appearing while writing.
Will Microsoft fix this intrusive pop-up issue?
Microsoft relies on user feedback to drive design changes. Submitting a report via Help > Feedback within the Word app is the best way to request a dedicated setting to disable the new writing suggestions feature in future updates.
