Spellcheck not finding obvious errors

I think I read somewhere in the thread that the second box (which was also checked in that offending document) is better set to unchecked as well. Do you agree? If so, do I need a longer macro?

And actually, I notice this problem a lot more when drafting a reply in Outlook than I do in WORD, perhaps because I tend to be more in a rush when replying to an e-mail than when creating a WORD document - and it frustrates me to no end as I am a bad typist. I assume I would need a separate macro for Outlook, right?

I do not have the desktop version of Microsoft Office, rather I have the virtual version (or whatever it's called). I assume I can still add your macro anyway, right?

Thanks much!

Dean

Hi Dean:

Virtual version = online or browser version? If so, macros do not work there.

You would need to use the Editor and make sure the box to not check is blank.

The second checkbox to automatically switch languages should be unchecked but that is a separate issue and has nothing to do with whether or not language will not be checked.

When you reply to something in Outlook I am unsure what formatting is applied. That depends both on your option setting and on what the formatting is. You would get better answers on this by posting a separate question in the Outlook forum.

See Compare Word features on different platforms. (this is an archival copy) current page is Word Features Comparison: Web vs Desktop.

• These programs are all named Word and they are all created and published by Microsoft.
• They all can edit the same document files that have the same file structure. Some of the programs have no control over some of the document structures.
• But, they are different programs with different features and controls.

As of January, 2024, the most powerful Word program, with the most features, remains the Windows desktop application from Microsoft 365. I do not expect that to change. The perpetual license version Word 2021 is very close as far as features but does not receive new features as added.

The Macintosh desktop application is second with number of features. The things available in the Windows version not yet on the Mac version include Content Controls, Building Blocks, UserForms, and ActiveX. It can use, but cannot create, or modify most Content Controls. AutoText is a Building Block that the Mac can and does use.

The browser version of Word – Word Online – has a Transcribe feature that has recently been added to the Windows desktop version of Microsoft 365’s Word. It also has the ability to Export to PowerPoint (although not that usefully). Otherwise, the browser version has far fewer features and editing in it has been reported to mess up automatic numbering. Chromebooks use a version of this or of the Android mobile app. See How to access Microsoft Office on a Chromebook. This can only be used with documents stored on OneDrive or SharePoint. Differences between using a document in the browser and in the Word desktop application. I would use this for note taking and for quick viewing/printing, but not for editing. Especially not for editing long or complex documents. The ability to mess these up is too high.

The mobile applications (Android/IOS, etc.) vary somewhat but have far fewer features. I would use them for note taking and for quick viewing/printing, but not for editing. Especially not for editing long or complex documents. Primarily these can only be used with documents on OneDrive or SharePoint*. (Usually, you can get at documents on your local device, but it is tricky.)* What you can do in the Microsoft 365 apps on mobile devices with a Microsoft 365 subscription See also Word for Android Phones Help, Word for Android Tablets Help,  Word for iPhone Help, Word for iPad Help.

Note that the statements about capabilities and usefulness are my opinions, not anything from Microsoft. They are based on my use and on my observations over the years here and in other Word forums. In my opinion, none of the versions is perfect. They can all be useful, recognizing their limitations.

"Detect language automatically" should definitely be turned off, if that is the option you are referring to. Unlike the other options in the Language dialog box, this is a global setting, that is, it applies to future edits in any document that you edit in your Word installation.

I think I read somewhere in the thread that the second box (which was also checked in that offending document) is better set to unchecked as well. Do you agree? If so, do I need a longer macro?

And actually, I notice this problem a lot more when drafting a reply in Outlook than I do in WORD, perhaps because I tend to be more in a rush when replying to an e-mail than when creating a WORD document - and it frustrates me to no end as I am a bad typist. I assume I would need a separate macro for Outlook, right?

I do not have the desktop version of Microsoft Office, rather I have the virtual version (or whatever it's called). I assume I can still add your macro anyway, right?

Thanks much!

Dean

Here is a short macro that is the equivalent of selecting the entire body of the document and then unchecking/clearing the box for "Do not check Spelling or Grammar."

Sub SpellingGrammarCheckDocumentOn()

    ' Charles Kenyon 2024 January 9

    ' Turn on Spelling and Grammar Check for Selected Text

    '

    With ActiveDocument

        .Range.NoProofing = False ' This means that you do not check! It is a double negative.

    End With

End Sub

This could be attached to a keyboard shortcut and/or a QAT button. Here are some references:

• Install/Employ VBA Procedures (Macros) by Greg Maxey
• Instructions for Installing Macros from Forums or Websites by Graham Mayor, MVP
• Assigning Keyboard Shortcuts in Microsoft Word 2007-2021 (365)
• Modifying the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) in Microsoft Word

Any keyboard shortcut or QAT modification should be stored in the same template that holds the macro.

This question comes up often enough that I've placed that macro with a keyboard shortcut into a short Add-In that can be downloaded.

Here is information with a link to download it.

• Keyboard Shortcuts to change "no proofing" status in Microsoft Word

I feel like I did check that although, right now, I cannot find it. I hit control A but am not sure what you mean by:

"go to the Language Dialog".

Can you give me more detail, please? I am in WORD. Is it under file, Options, Language or File, Options, Proofing? I don't see it either place. This is Office 365, the on-line version not the desktop.

Thanks!