How to Check Spelling and Grammar in Excel – 4 Methods

This is the sample dataset.

Method 1 – Using the Spelling Command

1.1 Check Spelling Mistakes for a Single Cell

Steps

• There is a misspelled word in the left column in B6:B9.

• Copy C6:C9.

• Double-click C6, to enter the edit mode.
• Go to the Review tab > Spelling.

• The dialog box will display suggestions to replace the misspelled word.
• Select the appropriate word and click Change.
• If the suggestion is not appropriate, click Ignore Once.

• After choosing the word, a message box will be displayed.
• Click OK.

• Repeat the same process for the rest of the words.

1.2 Checking a Range of Cells

Steps

• There is a misspelled word in the left column in B6:B9.

• Copy C6:C9.

• Select the first two rows: C6:C7.
• Go to the Review tab > Spelling.

• The dialog box will display suggestions to replace the misspelled word.
• Select the appropriate word and click Change.

• Because there are two separate words, the window will be displayed again and ask for an appropriate replacement of the second misspelled word.

• After replacing all words in the range with correct words, the final message will be displayed.

1.3  Checking the Spelling Inside a Formula

Steps

• The dataset contains a list of fruit names.

• Select the cell containing the misspelled word and double-click it.
• In the editor mode, select the text portion outside the functions.
• Go to the Review tab > Spelling.
• Press Enter.

• This will replace the text with the correct word.
• In the message box, click OK.

• Repeat the same process for the rest of the words.
• This is the final output.

1.4 Check Specific Worksheets for Spelling Mistakes

Steps

• To check all misspelled words in a single worksheet, click on the select all icon at the left most corner of the sheet.

• Press F7.
• In the spelling checker dialog box, all misspelled words will be shown. Decide whether you want to replace the word.
• If you want to replace the word, click Change.
• Click the cross sign.

• This is the output.

1.5 Check the Entire Workbook for Spelling Mistakes

Steps

• Right-click a sheet name and click Select All Sheets.

• Go to Review > Spelling.

• The dialog box will display suggestions to replace the misspelled word.
• Select the appropriate word and click Change.
• If the suggestion is not appropriate, click Ignore Once.

• This is the output.

Method 2 – Using a Keyboard Shortcut

Steps

• There is a misspelled word in the left column in B6:B9.
• Copy C6:C9.

• Press F7 to open the Spelling: English dialog box.
• The dialog box will display suggestions to replace the misspelled word.
• Select the appropriate word and click Change.
• If the suggestion is not appropriate, click Ignore Once.

• Click OK to complete the spelling check procedure.

• Repeat the same process for the rest of the words.

Method 3 – Embedding a VBA Code

Steps

• Go to the Developer tab and click Visual Basic or press ‘Alt+F11’ to open the Visual Basic Editor.

(Enable the Developer tab if it isn’t active).

• In the dialog box, click Insert > Module.
• Enter the following code.

Sub Spell_Grammar_Highlight()
  Dim X As Integer
    X = 0
    For Each cll In ActiveSheet.UsedRange
      If Not Application.CheckSpelling(Word:=cll.Text) Then
        cll.Interior.Color = RGB(255, 255, 0)
        X = X + 1
      End If
    Next cll
    If X > 0 Then
      MsgBox X & " clls with Spelling and Grammer Mistakes are Identified and Highlighted "
    Else
      MsgBox "All Good, No Corrections Needed."
    End If
End Sub

• Close the Module window.
• Go to the View tab > Macros.
• Click View Macros.

• Select Spell_Grammar_Highlight.
• Click Run.

• Cells containing misspelled words are highlighted in yellow.
• Click OK.

• Open a new module window.
• Enter the following code:

Sub Spelling_Grammar_Check_activesheet()
  ActiveSheet.CheckSpelling
End Sub

• Close the Module window.
• Go to the View tab > Macros.
• Click View Macros.

• Select Spelling_Grammar_Check_activesheet.
• Click Run.

• The dialog box will display suggestions to replace the misspelled word.
• Select the appropriate word and click Change.

• This is the output.

 Method 4 – Correcting Spelling and Grammar While Typing

Steps

• Click File.

• Select Options.

• In the Excel Options window, click AutoCorrect Options in Proofing.

• In the Autocorrect: English window, check the options.
• Click OK.

This is the output.

How to Add Words to a Custom Dictionary in Excel

Steps

• To add new words to Excel’s default dictionary, click File.

• Click Options.

• In the Excel Options window, click AutoCorrect Options in Proofing.
• Click Custom Dictionary.

• In the Custom Dictionary dialog box, all dictionaries in use are displayed.
• Click a dictionary and select Add. To add a new dictionary, click New.
• Click OK.

• To add a new word to a dictionary, select the dictionary, and click Edit word list.

Additional Grammar Resources in Excel

1. Thesaurus

Thesaurus is one of the most used dictionaries and grammar checker tool.

Steps

• To add more grammar tools, check Thesaurus.
• To get the meaning of a word, hover over it.
• Go to Review > Thesaurus.
• Parts of speech will be displayed in the side panel.

2. Translate

Steps

• To translate a word, hover over it.
• Go to the Review tab > Translate.
• The translation will be displayed in the side panel.

You can change language settings in the side panel.

3. Research

Steps

• Press Alt and select any cell in the worksheet.
• The Research pane will be displayed.

• You can see the dictionaries or language options in a dropdown menu.
• Enter research-related keywords.

What to Do If the Spell Check Is Not Working in Excel?

The spell checker needs a dictionary.

Steps

• Click File.

• Select Options.

• Click: Proofing > Custom Dictionaries.

• Check all options.
• Click OK.

Read More: [Fixed!] Spell Check Is Not Working in Excel

Download Practice Workbook

Download the practice workbook.

Related Articles

• How to Turn on Spell Check in Excel
• How to Turn Off Spell Check in Excel

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