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why isn't proofing displaying recommendations

Jeffery Watkins 20 Reputation points
2026-01-18T19:05:09.1633333+00:00

When word underlines a word, either in red or blue, and I click on it and follow the menu to proofing, it does not display any recommendations.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows
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2026-01-18T19:05:16.55+00:00

If Word is not displaying recommendations when you click on underlined words, there could be several reasons for this issue. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot:

  1. Check if Proofing Tools are Installed: Ensure that the proofing tools are installed correctly. You can do this by modifying your Office installation to include the proofing tools.
  2. Enable the Speller Add-in: Sometimes, the speller add-in may be disabled. You can enable it by going to the File tab, selecting Options, then Add-Ins, and managing the disabled items.
  3. Check Language Settings: Make sure that your display and proofing language is set to English (US) or the language you are using for your document. If it's set to a different language, it may not provide recommendations.
  4. Update Microsoft Word: Ensure that your Microsoft Word is up to date, as updates may fix bugs related to proofing and recommendations.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may want to consider repairing your Office installation or checking for any specific settings that might be affecting the proofing feature.

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  1. Stefan Blom 342.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-01-18T19:22:52.9933333+00:00

    Does this happen with any word that is flagged as misspelled or just with some of them? Some misspelled words may not receive any suggestions, simply because there are no suggestions available.

    You can select a misspelled word and verify that its language format is correctly set. On the Review tab, click Language (in the Language group) and then click Set Proofing Language. Which language is indicated for the selection in the Language dialog box?

    For more on the spelling checker in Word, see http://wordfaqs.ssbarnhill.com/MasterSpellCheck.htm (this is an http link which means that it may not work in your browser, but it is safe, so you can just paste it into your browser's address bar).

       

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