Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated April 25, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Word has had the capability for some time to do "on the fly" checks of both spelling and grammar in your document. Potential spelling errors are marked with a wavy red underline. Depending on your version of Word, potential grammar errors are marked with a wavy green underline, a wavy blue underline, or double blue underlines. Again, depending on your version of Word, formatting inconsistencies are marked with wavy blue underlines or dotted gold line. This last option—to check formatting inconsistencies—is not turned on by default. If you want Word to notify you of these potential mistakes, follow these steps:
Figure 1. The Advanced options of the Word Options dialog box.
Word now "tracks" the formatting in your document (all behind the scenes) and marks questionable formatting with a wavy blue underline. If you right-click on the underlined text, you can see exactly what Word feels may be wrong with the selection.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (12686) 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: Noting Formatting Inconsistencies.
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 2013. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2013 For Dummies today!
Need to have a great looking fraction in a document? It's relatively easy to do if you apply the formatting techniques ...
Discover MoreYou can use the highlighter tool to add all sorts of color to your document. If you want to turn off those colors so that ...
Discover MoreWant to make your text look good on the finished page? This tip discusses a common speed bump in this quest--making the ...
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