Spell Checker not working in Microsoft Word 2011 for Mac

Anonymous
2011-07-10T17:10:35+00:00

I just installed Microsoft Office 2011 for Mac a few weeks ago, and when I type a document in Word, it is not flagging misspelled words as I type, even though the "check spelling and grammar" button is selected. Additionally, when I run a spelling/grammar check, it tells me that it's been run already and it still does not flag any misspelled words. I tried reinstalling the proofing tools, but that has not helped. Does anyone have any feedback on how to fix this?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2013-11-12T23:59:22+00:00

The convenience of this macro is, once you know it works, all you need to do is open all documents requiring fixing, ALL AT ONCE, and run the macro one final time.

To force Australian English, change the language specification from wdEnglishUS to wdEnglishAUS

(in two places).

There is a Preference setting that, curiously, is saved with each document and is probably the root of your current problem: *Word > Preferences > Spelling and Grammar > Hide spelling errors in this document.*I've added it to the code as well, so here's a new version with the changes in boldface, which you can add manually:

Sub ApplyEnglishAUStoAllOpenDocuments()

For Each aDocument In Application.Documents

aDocument.Activate

'Apply language ----------------------

Selection.WholeStory

Selection.LanguageID = wdEnglishAUS

Selection.NoProofing = False

'Redefine the Normal style ----------------

ActiveDocument.Styles("Normal").LanguageID = wdEnglishAUS

ActiveDocument.Styles("Normal").NoProofing = False

'Enable spelling errors --------------

ActiveDocument.ShowSpellingErrors = True

'Save changes and close -------------

aDocument.Save

aDocument.Close

Next aDocument

End Sub

In case you don't know anything about macros, the name that follows the starting "Sub" is arbitrary (thus, you can use pretty much any descriptive name there, like Sub ChangeLang(), etc.) while comment lines start with an apostrophe and are ignored by Word.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-10-18T18:37:39+00:00

    Daniel,

    I am having the exact same issue of not being able to check spelling or grammar. I have tried checking my Tools and Language, both show that spelling errors should be checked. Same with my styles, which I have gone through each, and they all say to check for spelling and grammar errors. I am new to a Mac and I don't know what/ how to use a macro. Could you be of any assistance? I have Microsoft Word 2011.

    Thank you

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-06-09T09:12:56+00:00

    Method 5: Move the Normal.dotm template

    Important If Normal.dotm is renamed, damaged, or moved, Word automatically creates a new version the next time you start Word. The new version will not include any of the customizations that you made to the version that you renamed or moved.

    To move the Normal.dotm template, follow these steps:

    1. Quit all Office applications.
    2. On the Go menu, click Home.
    3. Open Library.

    Note The Library folder is hidden in Mac OS X Lion. To display this folder, hold down the OPTION key while you click the Go menu. 4. Open Application Support, and then Microsoft. 5. Open Office, and then User Templates. 6. Drag normal.dotm to the desktop. 7. Restart the Mac.

    If the problem is resolved, you can drag the normal.dotm file from the desktop to the Trash.

    If the problem continues to occur, go to the next method.

    Took me 8 hours to find this fix...It worked.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-01-18T07:08:10+00:00

    Thanks Daniel, much appreciated!  I've been trying to fix this for at least a year - this has worked for me!  Furthermore your detailed and well communicated instructions were wonderful!  Cheers!

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-01-10T06:28:29+00:00

    Hi Jim,

    I followed your guidance but the problem does not change

    My check spelling does not work, Spelling and Grammar Icon  in Word Preferences is still unclickable

    Do you have any other solution?

    Thanks

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