Spell checker not working - can't get rid of "Do not check spelling or grammar" in an entire document. Word for Mac

This sounds like a typical issue where portions of the document carry a Language attribute for which Mac Word does not have Proofing Tools. It's difficult to be certain without having the document in hand. As Charles indicated this can be due to pasted content copied from other sources, especially web sites.

The dash means that some text has the Do Not Check property applied but other portions do not.

Use Command+A to Select All then go to Tools> Language to select the correct one... Just be sure that those portions aren't intended to carry the attribute they already have. NOTE: Do Not click the Default button, just click OK.

If that doesn't provide the solution please include these factors in your reply:

• Specific Version Number & type of License for the Office software as shown in Word> About Microsoft Word
• Specific Version Number of macOS as indicated in **> About This Mac**
• Clarification of what you mean by dictionary icon
• Screen shots depicting the issue

It sounds like you have tried the method I suggest without success.

It does work.

If you like save a sample document where it does not work for you on OneDrive or DropBox and post a share link to it here. I or someone else will take a look at it.

Why a sample file is important for troubleshooting - - - - - - - and how to do it.

"Do not check spelling or grammar" is a character-level setting.

It is not a general Word setting or a document setting. It can be part of styles.

It is invisible and can be pasted into a document with text unless that text is pasted as plain text. Yes, it can feel like a virus.

You can select all text at the body level of a document with Cmd+A and then click on the language in the Status Bar. Clear the checkbox for "Do not check spelling or grammar." You could create a macro and attach it to a keyboard shortcut or a QAT button to do this if you want.

This forum is not the place to get a message to Microsoft. Nobody who can change anything about Word reads what is written here.

They do read feedback.

This is a user-to-user support forum. -- You can give feedback TO MICROSOFT designers and decision makers on Microsoft Word or other Microsoft Products using their feedback mechanisms, (not here). (This is a link to directions.)

If you want, use the public feedback portal so other users can read your feedback, comment and vote.

Here is my article about one way to use this setting: Creating "No proofing" styles in Microsoft Word - No Spell Check character style and Code paragraph style - keep text from being checked for spelling or grammar

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MS has closed all the threads relating to spell checker issues which is annoying as there is not an answer that works for many people - including myself.

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This forum automatically closes threads when they get old.

They can get closed when they get too disorganized - discussions going off-topic. This is rare.