Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 26, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
When Caitlin uses Word, she can configure how it marks grammar errors. When someone opens the same document on their system, the grammar is checked according to how they have their configuration set up. Caitlin wonders if there is a way to embed her grammar preferences within a document so that other recipients view the same grammar errors and recommendations that she sees.
Unfortunately, Caitlin, there is no way to do that. The reason is because the grammar checker settings are not, by design, stored with a document. The reason is because if you have two editors (I'll refer to them as Mary and Tom), Mary will have different editing preferences than Tom. She may follow a style guide in her work that Tom doesn't follow in his. Over time, the grammar settings on her system become "tailored" to how she does her editing, and when she opens a new document, she will want those settings applied to the document.
If grammar settings were stored with the document itself, however, then Mary would not be able to count on her editorial preferences being displayed by either the grammar or spell checker; the preferences would be those of a different person—probably the one who created the document.
The only feasible workaround would be to take screen shots of the document, open in Word on your system. These screen shots could then be shared with others to show what you are seeing on your system.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (12607) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021.
The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2019. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2019 For Dummies today!
When Word checks the grammar it thinks you are using in your prose, it follows a set of rules. Fortunately, the program ...
Discover MoreAccording to the normal rules of grammar, the word "spring" is not supposed to be capitalized. There may be times, ...
Discover MoreIt is not uncommon to add hyphens between words to help clarify the meaning of your prose. You might even add ...
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.
Comments