How to Turn on Grammarly in Word

how to turn on grammarly in word
by CJ McDaniel // October 8  

Writing is an art, but only some feel confident about their grammar skills. Errors might slip through, making your text less polished. Don’t worry if you need help activating Grammarly in Microsoft Word – it’s a highly effective tool for enhancing your writing. This guide will show you how to turn on Grammarly in Word to help elevate your writing.

What is Grammarly?

Grammarly is an advanced writing assistant that checks your work for grammar, punctuation, and style errors. It also provides suggestions for improvements, ensuring your writing is clear, engaging, and error-free. Whether you’re crafting an essay, a business report, or a blog post, Grammarly can be a valuable tool.

Why Use Grammarly in Microsoft Word?

Microsoft Word is one of the most popular word processors globally. It has many built-in features for spelling and grammar checks, but Grammarly takes it a step further. Here’s why you should consider enabling Grammarly in Word:

  • Advanced Grammar and Punctuation Checks: Grammarly catches more than simple spelling errors. It identifies complex grammar and punctuation mistakes.
  • Style Improvement: Grammarly offers suggestions to improve the overall style of your document.
  • Vocabulary Enhancement: It provides alternatives to overused words, helping you diversify your vocabulary.
  • Better Readability: Grammarly enhances the organization and coherence of your writing.

How to Turn on Grammarly in Word

Step 1: Get the Grammarly Add-in

Begin by installing the Grammarly add-in for Microsoft Word. Follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Grammarly Website:
    • Go to the official Grammarly website (www.grammarly.com).
  2. Create an Account:
    • Sign up for one if you don’t already have a Grammarly account. You can choose from the free or premium versions with more advanced features.
  3. Download the Add-In:
    • Once logged in, navigate to the “Apps” section on the Grammarly website. Here, you will find the option to download Grammarly for Microsoft Office, which includes Word.
  4. Run the Installer:
    • Please refer to the on-screen instructions to begin the installation process. This approach will integrate Grammarly with Microsoft Word and Outlook.

Step 2: Enable the Add-in in Microsoft Word

Now that you have installed the add-in, it’s time to enable it in Microsoft Word.

  1. Open Microsoft Word:
    • Launch Microsoft Word on your computer.
  2. Find the Grammarly Tab:
    • Once the add-in finishes installing, a new tab called “Grammarly” appears in the Word toolbar at the top.
  3. Log in to Grammarly:
    • Click the “Grammarly” tab and then the “Log in” button. Enter your Grammarly credentials to log in.
  4. Activate Grammarly:
    • Once logged in, Grammarly will be active and check your document immediately.

Step 3: Customize Grammarly Settings

After enabling Grammarly, you can customize your settings to suit your needs.

  1. Access Settings:
    • Click on the “Grammarly” tab and click “Settings.”
  2. Select Writing Style:
    • You can choose different settings based on the type of document you are writing. Options include academic, business, casual, and more.
  3. Adjust Preferences:
    • Customize the types of suggestions Grammarly provides. You can turn on or off checks for grammar, punctuation, style, and more.

Using the Add-in in Microsoft Word

Here’s how you can take full advantage of Grammarly’s add-in features.

  1. Real-Time Checking:
    • Grammarly will underline mistakes and suggest corrections in real time as you type.
  2. Detailed Explanations:
    • Hover over highlighted errors to see detailed explanations and suggestions.
  3. Weekly Reports:
    • Grammarly also sends weekly reports to your email, summarizing your writing progress and frequent mistakes.
  4. Plagiarism Checker:
    • You can access the plagiarism checker for Grammarly Premium users to ensure your work is original.

Benefits of Using the Grammarly Add-in

Using Grammarly in Microsoft Word has numerous benefits:

  • Improved Accuracy: Grammarly’s robust grammar and spell checks ensure your documents are mistake-free.
  • Enhanced Writing Quality: It helps improve the style and quality of your writing.
  • Saves Time: Grammarly quickly identifies errors, saving you time on manual proofreading.
  • Learning Tool: It explains corrections, helping you learn and avoid future mistakes.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things go differently than planned. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:

The Grammarly Tab is Missing

  1. Check Add-Ins:
    • Go to “File”> “Options”> “Add-Ins.” Ensure that Grammarly is listed and active.
  2. Reinstall:
    • If the tab is still missing, try reinstalling the Grammarly add-in from the official website.

Grammarly Isn’t Working

  1. Check Internet Connection:
    • Grammarly requires an active internet connection. Ensure your device connects to the internet.
  2. Update Grammarly:
    • Make sure you have the latest version of Grammarly. Check for updates on the Grammarly website.

Grammarly Suggestions Not Appearing

  1. Document Type:
    • Ensure you’re working on a document format that Grammarly supports (.docx).
  2. Restart Word:
    • Sometimes, simply restarting Microsoft Word can solve the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to How To Turn On Grammarly In Word

Q. How can I turn on Grammarly in Microsoft Word?
A. Install the Grammarly add-in to turn on Grammarly in Word. Open Word, go to the “Insert” tab, click on “Get Add-ins,” search for Grammarly, and click “Add.”

Q. Is Grammarly free to use in Word?
A. Yes! Grammarly provides a free version for use in Word, though certain features come exclusively with the premium upgrade.

Q. Can I create a Grammarly account to use it in Word?
A. Yes, you must create a Grammarly account to use the free or premium version of the tool in Word.

Q. Once I install Grammarly, how do I activate it?
A. After installing the Grammarly add-in, you will find a “Grammarly” tab in Word. Click on it and then choose “Open Grammarly” to activate the tool.

Q. What if Grammarly needs to show up in my Word document?
A. If Grammarly is not appearing, check if you have the add-in installed. Go to “Insert,” then “My Add-ins” to see if Grammarly is listed. If it’s not, you may need to reinstall it.

Q. Will Grammarly check my document automatically?
A. Grammarly will automatically scan your document for grammatical and spelling mistakes once activated.

Q. Can I customize Grammarly’s settings in Word?
A. You can customize Grammarly’s settings by clicking on the Grammarly tab and selecting “Settings.” Here, you can adjust preferences like tone and style.

Q. What if I have both the desktop and web versions of Grammarly?
A. You can use both versions, but changes made in Word will not sync with the web version. Each platform functions independently.

Q. How do I get help with Grammarly in Word?
A. If you’re having trouble, check Grammarly’s support page or help center. They provide guides and FAQs that can assist you.

Q. Can I use Grammarly in all versions of Word?
A. Grammarly is compatible with Microsoft Word on Windows and Mac, but not all features may work on older versions of Word. It’s best to use the latest version for full functionality.

Conclusion

Enabling Grammarly in Microsoft Word is a straightforward process that can significantly improve your writing. With its advanced features and easy integration, Grammarly is a reliable writing assistant within your word processor.

Remember, good writing takes practice, but with Grammarly by your side, you’ll have expert guidance every step of the way. Happy writing!

About the Author

CJ grew up admiring books. His family owned a small bookstore throughout his early childhood, and he would spend weekends flipping through book after book, always sure to read the ones that looked the most interesting. Not much has changed since then, except now some of those interesting books he picks off the shelf were designed by his company!