Spell check in iDesign works through the Review tab, where you can scan your entire document or check words one at a time

iDesign does not have a built-in spell checker the way Word does. Instead, you have three practical routes: use the spell check that comes with Microsoft 365 if you have it, install a browser extension if you are working in iDesign online, or manually review your text before you publish. The fastest method depends on whether you are working in the desktop version or the web version, and what subscription you already have.

If you have Microsoft 365 on your computer, the spell checker from Word can catch errors in iDesign documents before you finalize them. If you work in iDesign through a web browser, a third-party extension like Grammarly or Hemingway can flag mistakes as you type. Neither method is automatic — you have to actively run the check or install the tool — but both catch the most common errors without slowing you down.

Key Takeaways

  • iDesign itself does not include a spell checker, so you must use an external tool or manually review text before publishing.
  • If you have Microsoft 365, you can copy your iDesign text into Word, run spell check there, and paste the corrected version back.
  • Browser extensions like Grammarly work in iDesign's web version and flag spelling and grammar errors as you type.
  • The simplest approach for short documents is to read your text aloud or have someone else review it before you finalize the design.

Copy text to Word and use its spell checker

If you have Microsoft 365 installed on your computer, Word's spell checker is the most thorough option. Open your iDesign document, select all the text you want to check, and copy it. Then open a blank Word document, paste the text, and go to the Review tab. Click "Spelling & Grammar" to scan the entire document at once.

Word will flag misspelled words, repeated words, and some grammar issues. You can accept or reject each suggestion, or ignore words that are spelled correctly but flagged (like proper names or technical terms). Once you have corrected everything, copy the text back into iDesign and paste it into your text boxes. This method takes a few extra minutes but catches errors that other tools miss.

Install Grammarly or a similar extension for web-based iDesign

If you work in iDesign through your web browser, installing Grammarly (free or premium version) adds spell checking directly to the text boxes where you type. Go to your browser's extension store — Chrome Web Store for Google Chrome, Add-ons for Firefox — and search for Grammarly. Click "Add to [Browser]" and follow the prompts to install it.

Once installed, Grammarly runs in the background and underlines spelling mistakes in red and grammar issues in blue as you type in iDesign. Click the underlined word to see suggestions and choose the correction you want. The free version catches most spelling errors; the paid version also checks tone and clarity. No setup is needed beyond installation — it works automatically in any text field.

Use your browser's built-in spell check

Every major web browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge — includes a basic spell checker that works in any text field, including iDesign. If you type a word that is not in the browser's dictionary, it will underline it in red. Right-click the underlined word to see suggestions or add it to your dictionary if it is spelled correctly.

This method is free and requires no installation, but it only catches spelling errors, not grammar mistakes or repeated words. It also relies on the browser's dictionary, which may not include technical terms or proper names specific to your field. For most short documents and social media posts, the browser spell check is enough. For longer or more formal work, Word or Grammarly will catch more.

Manually review your text before publishing

The most reliable way to catch errors is to read your document aloud before you publish it. Hearing the words forces you to slow down and notice mistakes your eyes skip over. Read at a normal pace, not fast, and pause at each sentence to make sure it makes sense. This method catches not only spelling but also awkward phrasing and missing words.

If you have time, ask someone else to read it too. A fresh set of eyes will spot errors you have read past multiple times. For social media posts and short announcements, this five-minute step often works better than any tool. For longer documents, combine manual review with one of the automated methods above.

What to do if iDesign does not recognize a word

If you use a spell checker and it flags a word that is spelled correctly — a brand name, a technical term, or a proper noun — you have two options. In Grammarly or Word, right-click the word and choose "Add to Dictionary" or "Ignore All." This tells the tool to stop flagging that word in future documents. In your browser's spell checker, right-click and select "Add to Dictionary" (the exact wording varies by browser).

Keep in mind that adding a word to your dictionary is permanent, so only add words you use regularly and are certain are spelled correctly. If you are unsure, leave it flagged and double-check the spelling in a search engine or dictionary before you add it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does iDesign have a built-in spell checker I can turn on?

No, iDesign does not include its own spell checker. You must use Word's spell check, a browser extension like Grammarly, your browser's built-in spell check, or manual review.

Can I spell check my entire iDesign document at once?

If you copy all your text to Word, yes — Word will scan the entire document in one pass. If you use Grammarly or your browser's spell check, they work as you type in each text box, so you check one box at a time.

Is Grammarly free, or do I have to pay?

Grammarly has a free version that catches spelling errors and some grammar mistakes. The paid version (Grammarly Premium) adds tone detection, clarity suggestions, and more advanced grammar checking. Both versions work in iDesign's web version.

What if I do not have Microsoft 365?

Use Grammarly (free or paid), your browser's built-in spell check, or read your text aloud. All three methods work without a Microsoft subscription and catch the most common errors.

Will spell check catch grammar mistakes, or just spelling?

Word and Grammarly catch both spelling and grammar. Your browser's built-in spell check catches spelling only. Manual review catches both if you read carefully.