Getting started with Wordsearch Creator

Wordsearch Creator is a web app, so there’s nothing to install. Open wordsearch.bearwoodlabs.com in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari and you’re ready to build your first puzzle.

Note

Puzzles and word lists are saved only in your browser’s local storage, not to a cloud account. Clearing your browser cache or switching browsers or computers loses any unsaved puzzle.

1. Go to wordsearch.bearwoodlabs.com.
2. Choose a wordsearch template: grid size, page layout, and style.
3. Create your word list by adding the words you want in the puzzle.
4. Download the wordsearch as a PowerPoint (.pptx) file. Use it as-is, convert it to PDF to sell, or open it in Google Slides.

If you have a license key from a previous purchase (including the retired PowerPoint add-in), enter it in the app’s license section to unlock paid features. No repurchase needed.

Fit more words into the grid

The puzzle creator fits as many words as it can into the grid you chose. There’s no hard word-count limit; it’s limited by the grid’s area and how well your words interlock. If words are getting cut off or the grid feels too cramped, increase the grid size.

Preset grid sizes go up to 30x30. For bigger puzzles, use a custom Layout, which supports grid sizes up to 100x100 or a custom shape you draw or upload as a black-and-white image.

Use a custom shape

Instead of a standard rectangular grid, you can draw or upload a black-and-white image to define the wordsearch’s outline. This is part of the Layouts option and requires a license key to unlock.

For examples, see Create Word Searches in Any Shape You Want and How to create a fun Wordsearch.

Check for accidental inappropriate words

As you build your word list, the app automatically flags if the puzzle contains unintended inappropriate words, so you can catch them before downloading.

Switch between uppercase and lowercase

On the final save screen, uncheck the Capitalise style option to get lowercase puzzle text instead of the default uppercase.

Edit the puzzle after downloading

The .pptx file you download is made of normal PowerPoint shapes and textboxes, not an image, so every letter, shape, and textbox can be recolored or reformatted like any other PowerPoint content.

For customizing, licensing, and troubleshooting, see the FAQ & fixes page.