Spell checker doesn't check text in the form fields in Word
Symptom
The spelling and grammar checker in Microsoft Word doesn't check text in the form fields.
Cause
Because form field text is formatted as No Proofing, the spelling and grammar checker ignores text in form fields.
Resolution
To work around this issue, you can use the following macro to:
- Temporarily unprotect the form.
- Change the language of the form fields.
- Perform a spelling check or update a field.
- Reprotect the form while preserving the text you've typed into the form fields.
You can use this macro as an On Exit macro for the last form field so you can check the spelling or update a field before you save the form.
Sub FormsSpellCheck()
' If document is protected, Unprotect it.
If ActiveDocument.ProtectionType <> wdNoProtection Then
ActiveDocument.Unprotect Password:=""
End If
' Set the language for the document.
Selection.WholeStory
Selection.LanguageID = wdEnglishUS
Selection.NoProofing = False
' Perform Spelling/Grammar check.
If Options.CheckGrammarWithSpelling = True Then
ActiveDocument.CheckGrammar
Else
ActiveDocument.CheckSpelling
End If
' ReProtect the document.
If ActiveDocument.ProtectionType = wdNoProtection Then
ActiveDocument.Protect Type:=wdAllowOnlyFormFields, NoReset:=True
End If
End Sub
More Information
Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements.