How to Check Spelling in Excel & Google Sheets

Written by

Editorial Team

Reviewed by

Laura Tsitlidze

Last updated on September 11, 2023

Spelling Check Shortcut

F7

See All Excel Shortcuts

This tutorial demonstrates how to check spelling in Excel and Google Sheets.

spell check initial data

Run Spell Check

The spell check command in Excel can be used to find and correct any mistyped words. Say you have a list of products like the one pictured in Column B below.

spell check initial data

The list above has typing errors in cells B2, B4, B5, and B7.

  1. In the Ribbon, go to Review > Spelling (or use the keyboard shortcut F7).

spell check excel

  1. Click Yes in the question prompt to check the whole sheet for spelling errors.

spell check excel 2

  1. Excel goes column by column and row by row, checking spelling errors. This means that values in Row 1 are checked first from Column A, then Row 2, etc.
    In the Spelling window, if you agree with one of the Suggestions, select it and click Change.

spell check excel 3

  1. This changes the value in cell B2 from Keybaord to Keyboard.
    Repeat Step 3 for each spelling error. Click Change All to correct multiple instances of the same mistake at once.

spell check excel 4

Note: The default language for spell check in Excel is the default language set for your system.

Change Spell Check Settings

Now, let’s look at the default spell check settings in Excel and how to change them. By default, Excel’s spell check:

  • ignores words in uppercase,
  • ignores words containing numbers,
  • ignores internet and file addresses, and
  • flags repeated words.

To change one or more of these rules (i.e., to include uppercase words in spell check), follow these steps:

  1. In the Ribbon, go to File > Options.

turn on spell check

  1. In the Excel Options window, go to Proofing and uncheck Ignore words in UPPERCASE. Click OK.

turn on spell check 1

This tells Excel to correct words in uppercase when checking spelling.

Spell Check in Google Sheets

  1. In the Menu, go to Tools > Spelling > Spell check.

google sheets spell check

  1. In the upper-right of the sheet, you get the spell check window. Here, click Change to change the value of cell B2 from Keybaord to Keyboard.

google sheets spell check 1

  1. Now, the spell check window shows the next issue in the sheet. You can also change all instances of the misspelling at once. Click the arrow next to the Change button, and then choose Change all.

google sheets spell check 2

More About Error Checking

AI Formula Generator

Try for Free

See all How-To Articles