Writing professional documents in Microsoft Word is easier when you have a reliable grammar and spelling checker. Whether you’re preparing a business report, writing an email, working on an assignment, or creating an important document, even a few spelling or grammatical mistakes can affect the quality of your work.
That’s where Grammarly comes in. It helps you identify spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, punctuation problems, unclear sentences, and other writing issues. It can also suggest improvements to make your writing more natural, clear, and engaging.
Although Microsoft Word already offers spelling and grammar suggestions, Grammarly provides additional writing feedback that can help you improve your documents.
If you’re wondering how to add Grammarly to Microsoft Word on Windows or Mac, you’re in the right place. The installation process depends on your operating system and the version of Word you’re using.
In this guide, I’ll explain how to install and use Grammarly with Microsoft Word.
How to Add Grammarly to Microsoft Word [Windows & Mac]
Before getting started, there’s one important thing to know. Grammarly’s older Microsoft Office add-in is being discontinued, and its dedicated Microsoft Word add-in for Mac has already been discontinued. Grammarly now recommends using its desktop application for Windows and Mac.
This means you don’t necessarily need to install a separate Word add-in. Once you install Grammarly Desktop, it can work with Microsoft Word and provide writing suggestions while you type.
Step 1: Download Grammarly for Your Computer
First, you need to download the Grammarly desktop application that matches your operating system.
If you’re using a Windows PC, open your preferred browser and visit the Grammarly for Windows download page. Click the download option and wait for the installation file to finish downloading.
If you’re using a Mac, visit the Grammarly for Mac download page instead. Make sure you download the macOS version rather than the Windows installer.
Grammarly offers separate installation files for both platforms, so choosing the correct version is important.
Once the download is complete, locate the installation file in your computer’s Downloads folder. You’re now ready to install Grammarly.
Step 2: Install Grammarly on Windows or Mac
After downloading Grammarly, the next step is to install it on your computer.
For Windows: Open File Explorer and navigate to Downloads. Locate the Grammarly installation file and double-click it to launch the installer.
If Windows displays a permission prompt, review it and allow the installation to continue. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the setup process to finish.
Once installed, Grammarly should appear in the Windows system tray, located near the clock in the lower-right corner of your screen.
For Mac: Open Finder and select Downloads from the sidebar. Locate the downloaded Grammarly installer and open it.
Follow the installation instructions displayed on your screen. Depending on the installer, you may need to move Grammarly into your Applications folder or approve the installation.
After completing the setup, Grammarly should appear in your Mac’s menu bar at the top of the screen.
You can now launch Grammarly and move on to the account setup process.
Step 3: Sign In to Your Grammarly Account
Once Grammarly is installed, you need to sign in to access its writing assistance.
Open the Grammarly application on your computer. If you’re a new user, you can create an account using your email address or an available sign-in option.
If you already have a Grammarly account, select the login option and enter your existing credentials.
Make sure you use the same account associated with your Grammarly subscription if you have a paid plan. This helps ensure that the correct features and preferences are available.
After signing in, Grammarly will run in the background and become available in supported applications.
You don’t need to open the Grammarly website every time you want to check a Microsoft Word document. The desktop application handles the integration while you work.
Step 4: Open Microsoft Word and Enable Grammarly
Now that Grammarly is installed, it’s time to check whether it works with Microsoft Word.
Open Microsoft Word on your Windows PC or Mac. You can either create a new blank document or open an existing Word document.
Start typing a few sentences into the document. Grammarly should automatically detect the text and begin checking it.
On Windows, you may see a floating Grammarly widget near the text you’re writing. Depending on the current interface, you may also see a Grammarly tab along the right edge of your screen.
On Mac, look for the Grammarly tab on the right side of your screen. You can hover over that edge to reveal it.
If you don’t see Grammarly immediately, don’t assume the installation failed. Check whether the desktop application is running and whether Microsoft Word is supported by your current setup.
Also, make sure that Grammarly hasn’t been disabled for Microsoft Word in its application settings.
Check and Correct Grammar Mistakes in Word
Once Grammarly is active, you can start using its suggestions to improve your document.
For example, type a sentence with a spelling mistake, incorrect punctuation, or a grammatical error. Grammarly should identify the issue and provide a suggested correction.
Click the Grammarly widget or open its tab to review the available suggestions.
You’ll typically receive feedback related to spelling, grammar, punctuation, clarity, and sentence structure. Depending on your subscription, Grammarly may also provide additional suggestions for tone, engagement, and writing style.
If Grammarly suggests replacing a word or correcting a sentence, review the recommendation before accepting it.
You don’t have to accept every suggestion. Sometimes, a sentence may be grammatically correct even if Grammarly recommends a different writing style.
For professional documents, I recommend reviewing each suggestion carefully instead of automatically accepting every correction.
This helps you maintain your original meaning while making your writing more polished.
Use Grammarly with Microsoft Word Online
If you prefer using Microsoft Word through your browser, you can also access Grammarly while working with Word Online.
First, make sure Grammarly Desktop is installed on your Windows or Mac computer.
Next, open your browser and visit Microsoft 365. Sign in to your Microsoft account and open Word.
Create a new document or select an existing one from your OneDrive storage.
Start typing in the document and check whether Grammarly provides writing suggestions.
If you’re using a Grammarly browser extension and see a message indicating that Grammarly cannot be used in Word Online, you may need to switch to the desktop application integration.
Click the Grammarly icon in your browser’s toolbar and turn off Check text with browser extension if that option appears. Then use Grammarly Desktop instead.
This is particularly useful if you regularly switch between desktop Word and Word Online.
Fix Grammarly If It Doesn’t Appear in Microsoft Word
Sometimes, Grammarly may be installed correctly but fail to appear in Microsoft Word. This can happen because the application isn’t running, Word isn’t supported by the current setup, or Grammarly has been disabled for that application.
Start by restarting your computer. This can refresh the connection between Grammarly and Microsoft Word.
If you’re using Windows, check the system tray near the clock. Right-click the Grammarly icon and make sure the application hasn’t been disabled or blocked for Word.
You can also open Grammarly’s settings and check the Block List tab. If Microsoft Word appears there, remove it from the blocked applications list.
On Mac, click the Grammarly icon in the menu bar and check whether the Grammarly tab has been turned off. If necessary, enable it again.
Another important thing to check on Mac is the document layout. Open Microsoft Word and navigate to View > Print Layout. Grammarly may not work when Word is using Outline, Draft, or Web layout.
If you’re using an older Microsoft Office installation on Windows, update it to a supported version. Grammarly for Windows supports Microsoft Office 2016 and newer, as well as supported Microsoft 365 desktop installations.
Finally, quit Grammarly completely and launch it again before reopening Word.
FAQs
1. Is Grammarly free to use with Microsoft Word?
Yes, Grammarly offers a free plan that works with Microsoft Word through its desktop application. You can use it to identify common spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. However, some advanced writing suggestions and AI-powered features require a paid subscription.
2. Can I add Grammarly to Microsoft Word on Mac?
Yes. You can use Grammarly with Microsoft Word on Mac by installing Grammarly for Mac. The older dedicated Grammarly for Microsoft Word Mac add-in has been discontinued, so you should use the desktop application instead.
3. Why is Grammarly not showing up in Microsoft Word?
This can happen if Grammarly isn’t running, Word is blocked in Grammarly’s settings, or your Office installation isn’t supported. Restart Grammarly, check its Block List, and make sure you’re using a supported version of Microsoft Word.
4. Can I use Grammarly in Word without installing it?
You can check your writing through the Grammarly Editor by opening its website in your browser. However, to receive Grammarly suggestions directly while working in the desktop version of Microsoft Word, installing Grammarly Desktop is the recommended approach.
5. Does Grammarly automatically correct mistakes in Word?
Grammarly identifies writing issues and provides suggested corrections. You can review and accept individual suggestions. It doesn’t automatically rewrite every sentence without your approval.
6. Is Grammarly better than Microsoft Word’s spelling and grammar checker?
Both tools are useful, but they offer different writing experiences. Microsoft Word provides spelling, grammar, and writing suggestions, while Grammarly offers additional feedback on clarity, tone, engagement, and sentence structure. Using both can help you produce more polished documents.
7. Can I use Grammarly with Microsoft Word Online?
Yes. Grammarly supports Word Online through its Windows and Mac desktop applications. Install Grammarly Desktop, sign in to your account, open Word Online, and start writing. Make sure the browser extension isn’t interfering with the desktop integration.