The Intrusive Grammatical Pop-ups
Google Docs features an advanced spelling and grammar checking system that actively analyzes your writing in real-time. When it detects what it believes is an error—ranging from a simple typo to a complex grammatical inconsistency—it underlines the text. However, it doesn’t stop there. By default, if you click on or place your cursor near the underlined word, Docs will automatically spawn a floating “Suggestion Box” containing the proposed correction and a brief explanation.
While this is intended to be helpful, it can be incredibly intrusive, especially during a fast-paced writing or editing session. The floating box frequently obscures the text directly above or below the error, breaking your concentration and forcing you to move your mouse just to see your own writing. If you prefer to review all errors at the very end of your writing session using the dedicated spell check tool, rather than having interactive boxes popping up in your face while you type, you should disable these automatic suggestions.
How to Stop Automatic Suggestion Boxes
You can turn off these floating correction dialogs via the Tools menu.
- Open a document in Google Docs.
- Look at the top toolbar and click on Tools.
- Hover your mouse over Spelling and grammar to open the sub-menu.
- In the sub-menu, look for the option labelled Show spelling suggestions. If it has a checkmark next to it, the feature is active.
- Click on “Show spelling suggestions” to uncheck it.
- (Optional) Repeat the process for Show grammar suggestions in the same menu to completely silence the grammatical pop-ups as well.
From now on, Google Docs will no longer generate floating boxes when you interact with your text. You can write in peace and run a manual spell check (Ctrl + Alt + X) when you are completely finished drafting.