# checkSpelling(of:startingAt:language:wrap:inSpellDocumentWithTag:wordCount:) Starts the search for a misspelled word in a string starting at specified offset within the string. ``` func checkSpelling(of stringToCheck: String, startingAt startingOffset: Int, language: String?, wrap wrapFlag: Bool, inSpellDocumentWithTag tag: Int, wordCount: UnsafeMutablePointer?) -> NSRange ``` ## Parameters `stringToCheck` The string object containing the words to spellcheck. `startingOffset` The offset within `stringToCheck` at which to begin spellchecking. `language` The language of the words in the string. If `language` is `nil`, or if you obtain the value by sending [`language()`](/documentation/AppKit/NSSpellChecker/language()) to `self`, the current selection in the Spelling panel’s pop-up menu is used. Do not pass in an empty string for `language`. `wrapFlag` to indicate that spell checking should continue at the beginning of the string when the end of the string is reached; to indicate that spellchecking should stop at the end of the document. `tag` An identifier unique within the application used to inform the spell checker which document that text is associated, potentially for many purposes, not necessarily just for ignored words. A value of 0 can be passed in for text not associated with a particular document. `wordCount` Returns by indirection a count of the words spell-checked up to and including the first error (if any), or -1 if the spell checker fails or does not support word counting. Specify `NULL` if you do not want this word count. ## Return Value The range of the first misspelled word and optionally (and by reference) the count of words spellchecked in the string in `wordCount`. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)