Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. 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: Changing Colors of Spelling and Grammar Underlines.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 28, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
One of the built-in tools for Word is real-time spell-checking and grammar-checking. Using the default configuration of the program, Word displays potential spelling errors with a wavy red underline and potential grammar errors with a wavy green underline. This presents a problem for people who may be red-green color blind, as they will not be able to tell which type of error is which on-screen. The solution would be to change the colors of the underlines, but Word doesn't provide a built-in way to make the change.
One possible solution is to play with the color settings for Windows as a whole. You can go to the Appearance and Personalization option (in the Control Panel) and click the Ease of Access Center option. There are several display options available to choose from, including Set up High Contrast. You may need to experiment a bit, but this approach could give desirable results not just in Word, but in other applications as well.
You can also change the colors by modifying some settings in the Windows Registry. The best instructions for how to accomplish this are included in Microsoft's Knowledge Base, at the following page:
https://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=925597
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (11163) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Changing Colors of Spelling and Grammar Underlines.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2021 or Microsoft 365. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word Step by Step today!
If you are having difficulties getting Word to insert the date exactly the way you want, it could have to do with how you ...
Discover MoreIf your Word documents contain macros, it is possible that Word (or Windows itself) may block the use of those documents ...
Discover MoreWhen looking at your document in Draft view, you may want Word to use a larger font than what it normally does. Here's ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. 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:
Comments