Where to find spell check and turn it on
Spell check is usually on by default in Word, Google Docs, and Outlook, but it may be turned off or hidden depending on your settings. Red squiggly lines under words mean spell check is active and catching mistakes. If you don't see those lines, you'll need to turn the feature back on.
The steps differ slightly between programs, but the setting is always in the same general area: your preferences or settings menu. This guide walks you through each program so you can get spell check working right now.
Key Takeaways
- Spell check is usually on by default in Word, Google Docs, and Outlook, shown by red squiggly lines under misspelled words.
- In Microsoft Word, turn on spell check by going to File > Options > Proofing and checking the box next to "Check spelling as you type".
- In Google Docs, spell check is always on, but you can run a manual check by clicking Tools > Spelling and grammar.
- In Outlook, spell check is on by default for emails, but you may need to enable it in settings if it's not working.
- If spell check is still not working after you turn it on, restarting the program usually fixes the problem.
Turning on spell check in Microsoft Word
Open Microsoft Word and go to the File menu in the top left corner. Click on Options at the bottom of the menu. A new window will open with a list of categories on the left side.
Click on Proofing in that list. You'll see several checkboxes under "Spelling". Look for the box that says "Check spelling as you type" and make sure it is checked. If it's empty, click it once to turn spell check on. Then click OK at the bottom of the window to save your changes.
You should now see red squiggly lines appear under misspelled words as you type. If you don't see them right away, try typing a word you know is misspelled (like "teh" instead of "the") to confirm spell check is working.
Turning on spell check in Google Docs
Spell check in Google Docs is always on by default, so you won't need to turn it on. Misspelled words appear with a red underline as you type. If you don't see red underlines, the feature may be hidden rather than off.
To run a manual spell check, click on Tools in the top menu bar, then select Spelling and grammar. A panel will open on the right side showing any spelling or grammar issues in your document. Click on each suggestion to accept it or skip it.
If you want to hide the automatic red underlines while you work, you can turn off "Show spelling suggestions" in the same Tools menu. The spell check will still work — you just won't see the red lines until you run a manual check.
Turning on spell check in Outlook
In Outlook, spell check is on by default for emails you compose. Red squiggly lines appear under misspelled words before you send. If you're not seeing these lines, the feature may be turned off.
To turn it back on, click File in the top left, then Options. Click Mail in the left menu, then scroll down and click Spelling and Autocorrect. Make sure the box next to "Always check spelling before sending" is checked. Click OK to save.
You can also check spelling manually before sending any email. Click the Review tab at the top of your message, then click Spelling and Grammar. A window will pop up showing any errors found in your message.
What to do if spell check still isn't working
If you've turned on spell check but still don't see red squiggly lines, the program may need to be restarted. Close the program completely and open it again. This refreshes the settings and usually fixes the problem.
Another common issue is that spell check may be turned off for a specific document or email rather than the whole program. In Word, check the Review tab at the top and look for a button that says "Editor" or "Spelling and Grammar". Click it to run a check on just that document.
If spell check is still not working after restarting, your program may need an update. Check for updates by going to File > Account (in Word or Outlook) and looking for an "Update Options" button. Installing the latest version often fixes spell check problems.
Understanding spell check limitations
Spell check catches words that are misspelled, but it won't catch words that are spelled correctly but used in the wrong way. For example, spell check won't flag "their" if you meant to write "there," because both are real words.
Grammar check is a separate feature that catches some of these mistakes, but it's not perfect either. Always read your work yourself before sending important emails or documents. Spell check is a helpful tool, but it's not a replacement for proofreading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I see red squiggly lines under words that are spelled correctly?
Spell check sometimes flags proper nouns, technical terms, or words it doesn't recognize. Right-click the underlined word and select "Add to Dictionary" to stop it from being flagged in the future. This tells the program that the word is correct.
Can I turn off spell check for just one document?
In Word, you can disable spell check for a single document by going to File > Options > Proofing and unchecking "Check spelling as you type." This turns it off only while that document is open. When you open a different document, spell check will be on again.
Does spell check work in all languages?
Word, Google Docs, and Outlook support spell check in many languages, but you need to set the language first. In Word, go to Review > Language and select your language. In Google Docs, go to File > Language and choose the language you're writing in.
What's the difference between spell check and grammar check?
Spell check finds words that are misspelled. Grammar check looks for sentence structure problems, punctuation errors, and word choice issues. Both features can usually be turned on or off separately in your program settings.
Can I undo a spelling correction I accepted by mistake?
Yes. Use Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) to undo the last correction immediately after it happens. If you've already moved on, you can manually retype the word correctly, or right-click it and select "Ignore All" to stop the program from suggesting that correction again.