Check spelling

Check spelling

You can set Numbers to flag spelling errors as you type, and you can check your entire spreadsheet or selected text for misspellings. Numbers can also check grammar and look up the definitions of words.

Use the Spelling and Grammar window to check spelling and grammar, add terms to the dictionary, and change the language of the dictionary. When you add terms to the dictionary, you teach Numbers new words so that it doesn’t mark them as misspelled.

Spelling and Grammar window

Open the spelling and grammar window

  • Choose Edit > Spelling and Grammar > Show Spelling and Grammar (from the Edit menu at the top of your computer screen).

    Numbers checks spelling and shows misspelled words in the Spelling and Grammar window.

Check spelling and grammar automatically

  1. Choose Edit > Spelling and Grammar (from the Edit menu at the top of your computer screen), then enable any of the options:

    • Check Spelling While Typing: Underlines misspelled words in red.

    • Check Grammar With Spelling: Underlines misspelled words in red and questionable grammar in green.

    • Correct Spelling Automatically: Underlines misspellings in blue as you enter text and briefly shows its replacement. If you disagree with the replacement, click the x in the suggestion bubble to keep your entry.

  2. Control-click the word, then choose one of the options in the shortcut menu.

Look up a word

  • Press Control while you click the word, then choose “Look up [word]” in the shortcut menu.