WD98: Initial Spelling Check Appears to Be Slow

• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you use the spelling checker on a document in the current session of Word, the spelling checker appears to take longer than expected to finish. After the initial spelling check, the spelling checker runs significantly faster.

CAUSE

By design, Word 98 sacrifices speed on checking the spelling of very short documents (100 words or fewer) in favor of improved speed on checking the spelling of long documents.

As well, Word 98 is much faster on repeat spelling checks of any document than earlier versions of Word.

WORKAROUND

If you have sufficient memory, turning on background spelling and grammar checking will improve the speed of the initial spelling check of your document.

To turn on background spelling and grammar checking, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, click Preferences.

2. On the Spelling & Grammar tab, click to select the "Check spelling as you type" option.

3. On the Spelling & Grammar tab, click to select the "Check grammar as you type" option.

4. Click OK.