Create, play, and print custom word search puzzles without leaving Google Sheets™.

Word Search Maker & Player by Avi Megiddo turns a simple list of words into a fully interactive word search experience inside Google Sheets™. Teachers, students, and puzzle lovers can generate puzzles in seconds, play them digitally, or print clean PDFs for offline use.

Play digitally in Google Sheets™

Unlike traditional word search generators that require printing or projecting, this add-on lets players interact directly with the puzzle inside Google Sheets™.

Players select letters in the grid and click Found Word to check their answer. Correct words are highlighted and crossed off instantly, making the experience engaging, interactive, and ideal for individual or collaborative digital play.

Adaptive difficulty for all ages

The add-on automatically adjusts puzzle complexity based on the word list you provide. Grid size and allowed directions scale intelligently, making the tool accessible to a wide range of reading levels.

Examples of how difficulty adapts:

Ages 4 to 6 (Pre K to Grade 1)
Small grids
Short words
Horizontal and vertical only

Ages 7 to 9 (Grades 2 to 4)
Medium grids
Longer words
Diagonal and backward words were gradually introduced

Ages 10 to 14 (Grades 5 to 8)
Larger grids up to 20 by 20
Longer vocabulary
All directions, including diagonal and backward

This automatic scaling makes it easy to reuse the same tool across different classes, subjects, and age groups.

Designed for teachers and classrooms

Word Search Maker & Player is built specifically for educational use with Google Sheets™.

Common classroom uses include:

Vocabulary practice

Language learning

Spelling reinforcement

Thematic review activities

Early finisher tasks

Sub plans and quick warm-ups

The instructional template guides users step by step, and generated puzzles can be reused, duplicated, or shared without reconfiguring the add-on.

Easy-to-use workflow

Getting started takes only a few steps:

Insert the Word Search template

Enter or paste a list of words in column A starting at A2

Click Make Puzzle + Answer Key

Play digitally, project the puzzle, or print it as a PDF

The add-on automatically creates both an answer key and a playable version with hidden answers.

Printable PDF export

Need a paper copy? Generate a clean, classroom-ready PDF directly from Google Sheets™ with one click. No extra files to manage and no external tools required.

Safe and simple

Works entirely inside the active Google Sheets™ file

No ads

No third-party services

No data stored outside your spreadsheet

Who this add-on is for

Teachers at any grade level

Language and ESL educators

Students practicing vocabulary

Anyone who enjoys word puzzles

Word Search Maker & Player combines the flexibility of Google Sheets™ with an interactive, student-friendly puzzle experience. Create once, play anywhere, digitally or on paper.