How to Use the Passive Voice Tool in Microsoft Word 2016

When Microsoft released Word 2016, the company surprised (and frustrated) many users by removing passive voice from Word’s readability statistics. However, Microsoft has redeemed itself by returning the passive voice tool in a recent software update. In celebration, today’s tutorial shows how to add the passive voice tool to Microsoft Word 2016’s Spelling & Grammar check and the readability statistics.

Important Note: This tutorial is for Word 2016 with the Editor update included in Office 365 subscriptions. To ensure your version is up to date, select the File tab, select Account, select Office Updates, and then select Update Now.

Visit “How to Add Passive Voice to Microsoft Word’s Grammar Check and Readability Statistics” to learn how to use the passive voice tool in Word 2013 and Word 2010.

How to Add Microsoft Word’s Passive Voice Tool

Before you can use the passive voice tool in Word 2016’s Spelling & Grammar check and the readability statistics, you have to add it to your proofing options.

1. Select the File tab.

2. Select Options in the Backstage view.

3. Select Proofing in the Word Options dialog box.

4. Select Check grammar with spelling and Show readability statistics in the When correcting spelling and grammar in Word section.

5. Select the Settings button.

6. Select Passive Voice in the Grammar Settings dialog box. Passive voice is located in the Clarity and Conciseness section of the Options menu.

7. Select the OK button in the Grammar Settings dialog box.

8. Select the OK button in the Word Options dialog box.

How to Use Microsoft Word’s Passive Voice Tool

After adding passive voice to your proofing options, you can run the Spelling & Grammar check and view the readability statistics with passive voice. Note that the readability statistics won’t appear until after the Spelling & Grammar check is complete.

1. Select the Review tab.

2. Select Spelling & Grammar.

3. Complete the Spelling & Grammar check in the Editor sidebar.

4. Review your passive voice statistic in the Readability Statistics dialog box, which will automatically appear after the Spelling & Grammar check is complete.

Are you looking for more Microsoft Word tutorials? I tackle a variety of basic and advanced topics on my Microsoft Word Tutorials page.