[farmerjohn1324]

I would like to avoid having to hook up to the duct work for the microwave, despite the fact that's what the plans called for. This is because of the ugly duct that will have to be above the cabinets and the large hole I will have to drill in the top of the cabinet above the microwave.

I can't tell if this microwave recirculates or if it must hook up to ducts.

Can I cap off that duct in the ceiling and drywall over it?

 

[lenaitch]

What do the installation instructions in the box say? You've already got the vent stubbed out at the ceiling. I would think it would be fairly easy to get some matching cabinet panels to box in the vent.
I will assume you mean whether the range fan is vented or recirculating. I've not heard of a recirculating microwave.

 

[BayouRunner]

I looked at the installation manual and it’s already set for recirculating. If you decide to use a vent you will have to follow the directions

 

[huesmann]

There's a squirrel fan in the top rear; it has to be removed and repositioned to vent up or back.