Not only can you check the spelling of long Word documents and the like, you can also spell-check Outlook email messages with just a few steps.

However, you can configure your computer andor your browser to automatically check the spelling as you type.

Shes written tips and tutorials for Microsoft Office applications and other sites.

One of its most important features is its spelling and grammar-checking tool, which saves many documents from embarrassing mistakes.

There are several reasons Words spelling and grammar-checking tool might not be working.

A simple setting might have been changed, or the language settings may be off.

Exceptions may have been placed on the document or the spell-check tool, or the Word template may have an issue.

Whatever the reason, some easy fixes are likely to have Word back to pointing out mistakes in your documents soon.

You may not receive any message but may notice the tool isnt functioning.

Follow these troubleshooting steps in the order we present, from the simplest solution to the most involved measures.

If you havent enabled automatic spell-checking, the tool wont function as you expect.

Also, select the Mark grammar errors as you type and Check grammar with spelling check boxes.

Word may be set to the wrong proofing language, causing it to miss errors.

A setting for Hide proofing errors, or other exceptions, may have been enabled in the document.

The spell-check tool might not work as expected if exceptions have been made for checking the spelling or grammar.

A Word add-in can interfere with the spelling and grammar-checking tool, causing it to work sporadically or not at all.

If the spelling and grammar-checking tool worked in Safe Mode, an add-in might be the problem.

Disable add-ins one at a time to isolate the one causing the issue.

If the issue still isnt resolved, there could be something wrong with Words global template, which is called normal.dotm.

Renaming the template could resolve the problem.

Word will generate a new default document without any customizations.

This repairs the entire Office suite even if theres only one application you want to repair.

If you still cant fix the problem with Words spelling and grammar-checking tool not working, visit the Microsoft Word help page.

With a searchable knowledgebase, community forums, and contact information, youll find additional help.

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