Quick Fix: Hit Tools → Spelling & Grammar → Show Grammar Window in Google Docs. See red or green squiggles? Fix those first. Nothing? You're all set.
What’s Happening
Google Docs is flagging potential issues in your document.
If you're seeing red (spelling) or green (grammar) underlines in 2026, the built-in engine spotted something it thinks might be off. Don't panic—these aren't always mistakes. Sometimes they're just stylistic quirks. Still, it's smart to double-check before you hit send on anything important.
How to Fix It
Run the built-in grammar checker to review and correct issues.
- Open your document in Google Docs.
- Head up to the top menu and click Tools.
- Pick Spelling & Grammar, then choose Show Grammar Window.
- A sidebar pops up with every flagged item. You can Ignore, Ignore All, or Correct each one.
- Take your time here. Some suggestions only make sense in context—don't blindly accept every change.
- Once all the squiggles are gone, save your work and reshare if needed.
Still Seeing Underlines?
Try these troubleshooting steps if the built-in checker isn't catching everything.
If those red and green lines won't quit, don't worry. A few tweaks usually clear things up.
- Try a different browser or clear your cache—Google Docs' spellcheck can act wonky across platforms.
- Bring in a second opinion with tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor.
- Give tricky sections a manual once-over. Complex sentences or technical terms sometimes trip up the algorithm.
Keep Future Documents Clean
Prevent red and green underlines with these habits.
A little upfront work saves you headaches later. Here's how to keep your docs looking sharp.
- Turn on Automatic Spelling Check under Tools → Spelling & Grammar so errors don't pile up.
- Use the Explore Tool (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+I or Cmd+Option+Shift+I on Mac) to verify stats and sources before you finalize anything.
- Write in active voice and keep sentences tight—Google Docs hates wordiness and passive constructions more than actual grammar mistakes.
- Track changes with Version History. If edits bring back those pesky underlines, you can always roll back.
- For formal writing, disable informal suggestions in Tools → Preferences → Suggest informal language to avoid stylistic warnings in professional documents.
