Blocking proofing tools on Word for exams

[mwild]

Hi,

 

I have found lots of guidance on this and have a GPO that blocks proofing tools for exam accounts using Word (Office 365) and the options to turn them back on.

 

I have found two issues though.

 

1) The option for spelling and grammar is still enabled on the review tab. I believe this should be blocked using policy id 2566 but it is not working.

 

2) On the status bar there is an option for "Text Predictions: On" (or Off). If a student clicked on this they will get access to the options page.

 

Can anyone help with resolving these?

[6Foot2]

Have a look here:

 

Link: ExamWritePad

 

The latest iteration was released on the 3^rd March.

 

It was very popular with our Learning Support/Exam Support staff when we implemented it.

 

*I haven't had the need to update myself on ExamWritePad, so I don't know where the product sits (in development terms) now, but @ass17 (the creator of ExamWritePad) was always responsive to requests from users in the product's early days and also very helpful.

 

I think you might find it a suitable alternative to using Word in exams and the issues that come along with that.

 

[psydii]

As someone who had been doing this with GPOs since GPOs were invented, I can say we moved to Exam Write Pad a couple of years ago and have not looked back.

[thimon]

+1 for ExamWritePad. We ditched Word a few years ago for exams, haven’t looked back!

[timbo343]

+1 for exam write pad too.

 

I'm holding out and hoping EWP will come as an app to chromebooks or even an Addon to Google Docs - @ass17 [emoji6]

[Brax]

Hi,

 

I have found lots of guidance on this and have a GPO that blocks proofing tools for exam accounts using Word (Office 365) and the options to turn them back on.

 

I have found two issues though.

 

1) The option for spelling and grammar is still enabled on the review tab. I believe this should be blocked using policy id 2566 but it is not working.

 

2) On the status bar there is an option for "Text Predictions: On" (or Off). If a student clicked on this they will get access to the options page.

 

Can anyone help with resolving these?

What version/year of word are you running?

[Olliedawg]

another +1 for EWP - been using it for the past few years now. Would not go back to Word.

[mwild]

I am using Word for Office 365 - Version 2402 (Build 17328.20162) although I will run an update now to check is it is the latest.

 

I have solved 2) above (by registry key) so just the annoying spelling and grammar.

[mwild]

I see the posts about EWP. Will discuss that with my school and looks like a small annual fee. In the interim, I am hoping I can complete the GPO.

[broadld]

I have been looking into this recently.

There doesn't seem to be a way of disabling spell check with group policy. I have found you can hide the Review tab etc but if you goto the search box and type in spell check it works. You can also type in options and get to proofing tool options and turn back on spell check as you type.

I have tried this on Office 365 word and Office 2021 LTSC.

The only way I have found is to not install the proofing tool in the install. But as exams use IT suites etc and don't have dedicated devices we need to restrict based on exam users.

Has anyone managed to completely disable spell check?

I have had a look at Exam Write Pad and it looks great so will recommending the school purchase this or to use Wordpad. However Wordpad you can't add headers / footers for candidate details and it doesn't have the autosave feature which I would say is a must for exams.

[synaesthesia]

I've set EWP for 2 schools and in both instances the requirement was just the no proofing tools. Neither were aware of the added bonuses, autosaves, header sheets, candidate & exam board info etc. Both instantly committed and absolutely love the amount of hassle and time it saves.

Get a demo, put it in front of your exams officer and get an order in - value for money wise, you just can't beat it.

[Brax]

I have been looking into this recently.

There doesn't seem to be a way of disabling spell check with group policy. I have found you can hide the Review tab etc but if you goto the search box and type in spell check it works. You can also type in options and get to proofing tool options and turn back on spell check as you type.

I have tried this on Office 365 word and Office 2021 LTSC.

The only way I have found is to not install the proofing tool in the install. But as exams use IT suites etc and don't have dedicated devices we need to restrict based on exam users.

Has anyone managed to completely disable spell check?

I have had a look at Exam Write Pad and it looks great so will recommending the school purchase this or to use Wordpad. However Wordpad you can't add headers / footers for candidate details and it doesn't have the autosave feature which I would say is a must for exams.

We have dedicated devices in our case and just remove the proofing tools.

[broadld]

I've set EWP for 2 schools and in both instances the requirement was just the no proofing tools. Neither were aware of the added bonuses, autosaves, header sheets, candidate & exam board info etc. Both instantly committed and absolutely love the amount of hassle and time it saves.

Get a demo, put it in front of your exams officer and get an order in - value for money wise, you just can't beat it.

 

Thanks that is exactly what I did yesterday and we are placing an order today!

[Jamman960]

I am using Word for Office 365 - Version 2402 (Build 17328.20162) although I will run an update now to check is it is the latest.

 

I have solved 2) above (by registry key) so just the annoying spelling and grammar.

 

Which registry key did you need to change to sort this out? Looking for another school but can’t seem to locate any word specific pols for more recent changes.

 

James

[mwild]

Which registry key did you need to change to sort this out? Looking for another school but can’t seem to locate any word specific pols for more recent changes.

 

James

Sorry, struggling to find my notes on this. We ended up moving to ExamWritePad which solved all our issues. With GPOs there always seemed to be a way to get around the restrictions to enable the proofing tools.