Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Hiding Errors.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 23, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365
Word includes handy spelling and grammar checkers that can take the hard edges off some of your writing. Sometimes, however, it is nice to turn those features off so you aren't distracted by the red and green squiggly lines as you are feverishly typing your masterpiece. If you want to turn off the red and green squiggly underlines, then follow these instructions:
Figure 1. The proofing options of the Word Options dialog box.
With the checkboxes clear, Word will no longer check for spelling and grammar inline and those squiggly lines won't appear. To turn them back on, simply follow the instructions, but check the checkboxes.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (6085) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Hiding Errors.
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