By default, Word's automatic spelling and grammar checkers check text as you type, indicating questionable text onscreen in an effort to help you write more effectively. The automatic spelling checker flags unrecognized words by applying a wavy red underline, and the automatic grammar checker flags questionable sentence construction by applying a wavy green underline. While some people consider this feature to be a timesaver, others consider it to be a downright distraction. Fortunately, there are two methods you can use to suppress the automatic spelling and grammar checkers' onscreen indicators without affecting the checkers' behavior.

1. Disable Word's automatic spelling and grammar checkers and run them manually instead. To do so, choose Tools | Options (Preferences on the Mac) from the menu bar, and then click on the Spelling & Grammar tab. Clear the Check Spelling As You Type check box in the Spelling area and the Check Grammar As You Type check box in the Grammar area, and then click OK. Word disables the automatic spelling and grammar checkers and, with them, the wavy red and green underlines. When you're ready to check your document's spelling and grammar, you can run the spelling and grammar checkers manually by choosing Tools | Spelling And Grammar from the menu bar or by clicking the Spelling And Grammar button on the Standard toolbar to access the Spelling And Grammar dialog box.

2. Hide onscreen error indicators temporarily without disabling the automatic spelling and grammar checkers. To do so, choose Tools | Options (Preferences on the Mac) from the menu bar and then click on the Spelling & Grammar tab. First, select both the Check Spelling As You Type and Hide Spelling Errors In This Document check boxes in the Spelling area. Next, select both the Check Grammar As You Type and Hide Grammatical Errors In This Document check boxes in the Grammar area. When you've finished, click OK. Word hides the spelling and grammar checkers' onscreen indicators but continues to check spelling and grammar in the background. To quickly display the onscreen error indicators, double-click on the Spelling And Grammar Status icon in the status bar. (The status bar is located at the bottom of the application window.) Word applies the familiar red and green wavy underlines to indicate any errors that it encountered while you were working. In addition, Word selects the error nearest the insertion point and displays a shortcut menu containing correction options. To address the error on the spot, choose a suggested correction or an ignore option from the shortcut menu. To launch the Spelling And Grammar dialog box, choose Spelling. Or, navigate to the next flagged error by double-clicking on the Spelling And Grammar Status icon again. To quickly hide the onscreen error indicators again, right-click ([control]-click on the Mac) on the icon and choose Hide Spelling Errors or Hide Grammatical Errors, as desired.

Created Date: 12/07/2001  Last Reviewed: 12/07/2001  Rev. Date: