The Editor in Word tells me my word draft is 100% when I know it is not and cannot get it to check

Question

The Editor in Word tells me my word draft is 100% when I know it is not and cannot get it to check

brian donovan 0

Cant get Editor to check my work. It is not 100 percent as it claims.

John Jefferson Doyon 82,760 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-05T05:33:12.4766667+00:00
Hi, @brian donovan

Can you tell me a little more about the issue?

Are you using the Word desktop app or Word Online?

Does this happen with every document or only this draft?

When you open "Editor," does it show no suggestions, or does it fail to scan the document?

Please also go to "File" > "Account" > "About Word" and share the version and build number shown. Thanks!
brian donovan 0 Reputation points

2026-08-05T21:30:03.2733333+00:00

Hi John, Thanks for follow up. I pay monthly for Microsoft package and only use the Outlook and Word. So presume it is an App. I have not used Editor on other docos as this is by far the longest draft I have done. Aside from Word going into freeze mode and not responding every now and then... The Editor keeps telling me the draft (375 pages) is 100 percent and I am not sure if that is just a section of draft or whole draft, as I am having to work page by page and look for inaccuracies myself. When I open Editor it does not seem to scan just says it is 100 percent. There are times it has actually worked but I have no idea how to activate it as I am doing revisions on the draft all the time and as I work through, see it needs revision.

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John Jefferson Doyon 82,760 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-05T05:33:12.4766667+00:00

Hi, @brian donovan

Can you tell me a little more about the issue?

Are you using the Word desktop app or Word Online?

Does this happen with every document or only this draft?

When you open "Editor," does it show no suggestions, or does it fail to scan the document?

Please also go to "File" > "Account" > "About Word" and share the version and build number shown. Thanks!
brian donovan 0 Reputation points

2026-08-05T21:30:03.2733333+00:00

Hi John, Thanks for follow up. I pay monthly for Microsoft package and only use the Outlook and Word. So presume it is an App. I have not used Editor on other docos as this is by far the longest draft I have done. Aside from Word going into freeze mode and not responding every now and then... The Editor keeps telling me the draft (375 pages) is 100 percent and I am not sure if that is just a section of draft or whole draft, as I am having to work page by page and look for inaccuracies myself. When I open Editor it does not seem to scan just says it is 100 percent. There are times it has actually worked but I have no idea how to activate it as I am doing revisions on the draft all the time and as I work through, see it needs revision.

Answer 1

John Jefferson Doyon 82,760 Independent Advisor

Thanks for the details.

Since the document is 375 pages and Word sometimes freezes, the issue may be limited to this draft rather than Editor itself.

First, open a new blank Word document and type a sentence with an obvious error, such as:

This are a deliberate mistakke.

Press F7 or open "Editor." Does Word detect those errors?

If it does, save a backup copy of your draft, then try the following in the copy:

Press Ctrl + A to select the entire draft.
Go to "Review" > "Language" > "Set Proofing Language."
Select the correct English language.
Make sure "Do not check spelling or grammar" is cleared.
Go to "File" > "Options" > "Proofing."
Make sure spelling and grammar checking are enabled, then select "Recheck Document."
Press F7 to start a full check.

The 100% score only means Editor is not currently finding issues in the text it is checking. It does not confirm that the entire draft is error-free.

Please also confirm:

Does Editor detect the errors in the new blank document?
Is the draft saved as a .docx file, and is it stored on the computer or OneDrive?
Is "Track Changes" currently turned on?

Please also go to "File" > "Account" > "About Word" and share the version and build number.

Thanks!

brian donovan 0 Reputation points

2026-08-06T08:03:48.39+00:00

Thanks so much John. Great answer. Working on that instruction soon. Will get back when done. Appreciate your time. cheers

brian
brian donovan 0 Reputation points

2026-08-06T08:05:46.31+00:00

Thanks John, appreciate the time and knowledgeable advice. Have not got to it yet but will soon and let you know. Have a good day. Cheers Brian
John Jefferson Doyon 82,760 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-06T17:09:25.1466667+00:00

Ok, just let me know when you're ready, thanks!
brian donovan 0 Reputation points

2026-08-06T22:25:35.9266667+00:00

Thanks John. Your suggestions have been on the money. I seem to be back on track with getting the draft edited. This will give me confidence I am missing anything in review. It is a One Drive and is a Doc. And the Tracking changes is on. So thanks again, in my search for answers I by-passed those buttons that might have led to solutions like 'Set Proofing language'.

The f7 I am puzzled about as it controls volume on my computer.

Cheers and have a great day

Brian
Suzanne S Barnhill 278.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-07T00:23:39.09+00:00

In this case you would need to use Fn+F7 to run the spelling checker.
John Jefferson Doyon 82,760 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-07T17:28:17.8233333+00:00

Glad to hear the proofing is working properly again.

On many laptops, the function keys are assigned to things like volume or brightness by default, so you would use Fn + F7 to start the spelling and grammar check.

You can also simply go to "Review" > "Editor" if that is easier.

Since the document is large and "Track Changes" is enabled, I would also keep a backup copy while you continue editing.
brian donovan 0 Reputation points

2026-08-07T19:35:05.3833333+00:00

Thank you Suzanne. Yep worked.
John Jefferson Doyon 82,760 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-08-07T19:41:50.1133333+00:00

Hi @brian donovan

If all is resolved, feel free to mark the answer for this thread. Otherwise, please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Thanks!
brian donovan 0 Reputation points

2026-08-10T20:54:32.1533333+00:00

Thanks for the help with this. And can mark this as 'Accepted'. Good to know there is a place one can go to get such good feedback and advice as it can be frustrating battling on one's own. cheers Brian
Suzanne S Barnhill 278.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-11T00:43:36.11+00:00

You don't seem to have marked an answer as Accepted.
brian donovan 0 Reputation points

2026-08-13T02:17:01.8266667+00:00

Very good comprehensive and effective answer