Grammarly can check your spelling, grammar, and tone right inside Microsoft Word. How you enable it depends on your setup: on Windows and Mac, the Grammarly desktop app works in Word and most other apps, and there’s also a Grammarly add-in for Word that you can add from the Office Store (including Word for the web). This guide covers each option, how to turn Grammarly on and off in Word, and what to do when it doesn’t show up.
Quick Answer
Download and install Grammarly for Windows (or Grammarly for Mac) from grammarly.com and sign in. Open a Word document and start typing; the Grammarly widget appears at the bottom-right of the document, and suggestions are underlined. Alternatively, in Word click Home > Add-ins, search for Grammarly, and click Add.
Option 1: Grammarly Desktop App (Recommended)
This is the approach Grammarly recommends for Word on both Windows and Mac.
- Go to grammarly.com and download Grammarly for Windows or Grammarly for Mac.
- Run the installer and sign in with your Grammarly account (or create a free one).
- Mac only: when prompted, allow Grammarly in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility so it can read text in other apps.
- Open Word and click inside a document. The Grammarly widget appears near the bottom-right corner.
- Type or paste text. Click an underlined word or the widget to review suggestions and click one to accept it.
Option 2: Grammarly Add-in for Word
The add-in lives on Word’s ribbon and also works in Word for the web.
- Open Word and click Home > Add-ins (or Insert > Get Add-ins in some versions).
- Search for Grammarly and click Add next to Grammarly for Microsoft Word.
- Click the new Grammarly button on the ribbon (usually on the Home tab) to open the sidebar, and sign in.
- Use Open Grammarly in the sidebar to start checking the document.
Your organization may block add-ins on work accounts. Ask your IT team if the Add-ins store isn’t available.
Turn Grammarly On or Off in Word
- Desktop app: click the widget, then the settings icon, and choose to turn it off for Word, or pause it temporarily. You can also quit the app from the system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
- Add-in: close the Grammarly sidebar. To remove it, go to Home > Add-ins > More Add-ins > My Add-ins, click the three dots next to Grammarly, and choose Remove.
Grammarly vs. Word’s Built-In Editor
Word includes Microsoft Editor (Home > Editor) for spelling, grammar, and refinements. If both tools underline the same text, you may want to turn off Word’s checks in File > Options > Proofing by clearing Check spelling as you type and Mark grammar errors as you type.
Troubleshooting
- Grammarly doesn’t appear in Word: make sure the desktop app is running and signed in, and that Word isn’t excluded in Grammarly’s settings. Restart Word.
- Mac permissions: check that Grammarly is enabled under Accessibility in Privacy & Security.
- Add-in missing from the ribbon: check My Add-ins and re-add it; update Office through File > Account > Update Options.
- Document is in Protected View or read-only: click Enable Editing first; Grammarly can’t edit a locked document.
- Very long documents: Grammarly may slow down or limit checking. Check sections at a time.
Related: fix Grammarly Desktop can’t be moved to Trash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grammarly free in Word?
Yes, the free plan checks spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Premium features like full-sentence rewrites and advanced tone suggestions require a paid plan.
Does Grammarly work in Word for the web?
Yes, through the Grammarly add-in, or through the Grammarly browser extension in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.
Does Grammarly change my document automatically?
No. It only suggests changes; nothing is changed until you click a suggestion.
Can I use Grammarly in Google Docs too?
Yes, through the Grammarly browser extension rather than an add-in. Our guide on adding Grammarly to Google Docs covers Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.
Summary
- Install Grammarly for Windows or Mac and sign in, or add the Grammarly add-in in Word.
- Open a document and use the widget or ribbon button to review suggestions.
- Turn it off from the widget settings or remove the add-in in My Add-ins.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He started on a university help desk, spent years as the IT person for small businesses, and has been writing tech guides full time since 2020. Each guide is checked on a device he owns, and re-checked when a menu moves. More about Kermit.