Checking Spelling in Excel
Learn how to use Excel’s Spell Check tool to identify and correct spelling errors before sharing a workbook.
Lesson Notes
Read through the key concepts before you try the challenge.
Why Use Spell Check?
Before sharing a workbook, it’s important to check for spelling errors. Excel includes a built-in Spell Check tool that scans your worksheet for misspelled words.
Unlike Microsoft Word, Excel does not check grammar or spelling as you type. Spell Check must be run manually.
Running Spell Check
To begin spell check, go to the Review tab and click Spelling.
The Spelling dialog box will appear. Excel will highlight words that are not found in the dictionary and provide suggestions.
Correcting Spelling Errors
Select the correct spelling from the Suggestions list and click Change to fix the error. Use Change All to correct every instance of that word in the worksheet.
Ignoring or Adding Words
Spell Check may flag names or brand terms that are actually correct. You can choose Ignore Once, Ignore All, or Add to Dictionary.
- Ignore Once – Skips this instance.
- Ignore All – Skips all instances in the worksheet.
- Add to Dictionary – Saves the word so Excel won’t flag it again.
Spell Check Complete
After Excel finishes reviewing the worksheet, a confirmation message will appear.
Knowledge Check
What happens when you click 'Add to Dictionary' in Spell Check?
Practice File
Download this file and follow along with the lesson.
Challenge
Apply what you've learned in this lesson.
Complete the following tasks:
- Run Spell Check from the Review tab.
- Correct the misspelled words 'coffe' and 'medum'.
- Ignore the spelling suggestion for the word 'Amanecer'.
- Finish spell check and confirm the completion message appears.
