# DOCX Generation Failure: SpellStart, GramStart, or GramEnd

This error usually means Microsoft Word saved proofing markup inside the `.docx` file.

S-Docs cannot process Word spelling and grammar markers during DOCX generation.

### Common error messages

You may see one of these errors:

* `Failed to parse XML due to: could not determine namespace bound to attribute prefix w`
* `spellStart`
* `gramStart`
* `gramEnd`

These errors point to the same root cause.

Word added spelling or grammar suggestion markup to the template file.

### Why this happens

When Word flags text with red or blue underlines, it can store extra XML tags in the file.

That markup can include proofing attributes such as `w:spellStart`, `w:gramStart`, or `w:gramEnd`.

If those tags remain in the uploaded template, DOCX generation can fail.

### Fix the DOCX template

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open the template record

Go to the S-Docs template that is failing.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Download the latest uploaded DOCX

Open **Template Editor**.

Select **Download most recently uploaded DOCX**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Open the file in Microsoft Word

Use Word to review the document for spelling and grammar markup.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Clear all proofing suggestions

Remove or resolve every spelling and grammar suggestion in the file.

Make sure all red and blue underlines are gone.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Some proofing marks disappear, then new ones appear. Keep reviewing until all suggestions are cleared.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Save the cleaned DOCX file

Save the file after all proofing markup is removed.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Re-upload the DOCX file

Return to the template.

Use **Choose File** to upload the cleaned version.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Generate the document again

Test the template with a real record.

If the proofing markup was the issue, generation should now succeed.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Quick check

Before you re-upload, confirm:

* no red spelling underlines remain
* no blue grammar underlines remain
* the saved file is still a `.docx`

### Related articles

* [Microsoft Word (DOCX)](/sdocs/template-architecture/document-formats/docx-s-docs.md)
* [Merge Fields With Microsoft Templates (DOCX, PPTX, XLSX)](/sdocs/template-architecture/inserting-merge-fields/merge-fields-with-microsoft-templates-docx-pptx-xlsx.md)


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