Have you ever been typing in Google Slides and noticed those annoying red squiggly lines under words? While spellcheck is useful, sometimes you just don’t want Google Slides highlighting mistakes—especially when working on creative presentations, technical terms, or brand names. In this guide, we’ll show you how to stop underlining spelling mistakes in Google Slides and provide tips to manage spellcheck effectively.
Why Google Slides Underlines Words
Google Slides automatically highlights words it doesn’t recognize with a red underline. This includes:
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Typos or spelling mistakes
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Technical terms, brand names, or abbreviations
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Words in a different language
These squiggly lines are meant to help—but they can be distracting in creative or professional presentations.
Understanding Google Slides Spellcheck
Google Slides relies on browser-based spellcheck rather than a built-in tool. This means:
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Chrome, Edge, and Firefox each manage spellcheck differently
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Turning off spellcheck in Slides may require adjusting browser settings
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Custom words or languages can affect how underlines appear
How to Turn Off Spellcheck in Google Slides
Here’s how you can stop Google Slides from underlining words.
Method 1: Disable Automatic Spellcheck in Slides
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Open your presentation in Google Slides.
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Click Tools in the top menu.
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Select Spelling.
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Uncheck Show spelling suggestions.
This disables automatic red underlines across your slides.
Method 2: Use Your Browser Settings
Since Slides relies on your browser’s spellcheck, you may need to adjust it:
In Google Chrome:
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Click the three-dot menu → Settings.
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Scroll to Languages → Spell check.
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Toggle off Enhanced spell check or disable the language-specific spellcheck.
In Microsoft Edge:
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Go to Settings → Languages → Spelling.
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Turn off Check spelling.
In Firefox:
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Open Options → Language and Appearance.
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Uncheck Check your spelling as you type.
After adjusting browser settings, the red underlines in Google Slides should disappear.
How to Ignore Specific Words
If you want spellcheck on but want Google Slides to ignore certain words:
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Right-click the underlined word.
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Select Add to dictionary.
This keeps your presentation tidy without turning off spellcheck entirely.
Using Custom Dictionaries in Google Slides
Google Slides itself doesn’t have a built-in dictionary, but you can manage custom words through your Google account:
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Go to Google Docs → Tools → Spelling and grammar → Personal dictionary.
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Add words you frequently use.
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These words sync across Google Slides and Docs.
Why Spellcheck Might Still Appear
Even after turning off spellcheck, red underlines may show because:
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Browser cache hasn’t updated
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Different language settings in your presentation
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Add-ons or extensions overriding settings
Fix: Refresh your Slides or restart your browser after making changes.
Tips for Managing Spelling in Presentations
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Use Spellcheck before presenting: Turn it back on temporarily to catch mistakes.
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Maintain a personal dictionary for brand names, acronyms, or technical terms.
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Consider proofreading offline using Google Docs for a smoother experience.
Alternative Ways to Proofread Slides Without Red Lines
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Export your slides as a PDF and use PDF spellcheck tools.
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Copy text to Google Docs for automated grammar suggestions.
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Use a browser extension like Grammarly for contextual spellcheck without red underlines.
FAQs
1. Can I disable spellcheck for just one slide?
No, spellcheck settings apply to the entire presentation.
2. Will turning off spellcheck affect other Google apps?
No, settings in Slides or your browser only apply to where you disable them.
3. Can I hide the red underlines temporarily?
Yes, uncheck Show spelling suggestions under Tools → Spelling.
4. Why does Chrome still underline words after turning off spellcheck?
Make sure you’ve disabled spellcheck for the specific language in Settings → Languages.
5. Is there a mobile way to disable spellcheck in Google Slides?
Yes, on mobile, go to Settings → Google Slides → Spelling (or browser settings) and toggle off suggestions.
Summary: Key Takeaways
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Google Slides relies on browser spellcheck, so turning it off may require adjusting browser settings.
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Use Tools → Spelling → Show spelling suggestions to disable red underlines.
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Add frequently used words to your personal dictionary to avoid distractions.
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For full control, adjust Chrome, Edge, or Firefox spellcheck settings.
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Consider alternative proofreading methods to maintain accuracy without underlines.
By following these steps, you can create clean, professional slides without red squiggly distractions, while still keeping your presentation accurate and polished.