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Create and use custom dictionaries

Some of the content in this topic may not be applicable to some languages.

To prevent Microsoft Word from questioning the spelling of words that aren't in the main dictionary, you can use a custom dictionary. Word shares custom dictionaries with other Microsoft programs, such as Microsoft Outlook.

Create or add a custom dictionary

Create a new custom dictionary

On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Spelling & Grammar tab.
Click Custom Dictionaries.
Click New.
In the File name box, type a name for the custom dictionary.
Click Save.
In the Dictionary list box, select the new custom dictionary.
Do one of the following:
- To use the dictionary when checking text in all languages, click Modify, and then click All languages in the Language box.
- To use the dictionary only when checking text in another language, select the dictionary's name, click Modify, and then click the language in the Language box.
Custom dictionaries of different languages are grouped by language in the Dictionary list box.
Activate the custom dictionary.
How?
1. In the Custom Dictionaries dialog box, make sure the check box beside the dictionary's name is selected.
2. On the Spelling & Grammar tab, clear the Suggest from main dictionary only check box.

Add an existing custom dictionary

The Custom Dictionaries dialog box lists the available custom dictionaries Word can use to check spelling. If the dictionary you want to use — for example, one you purchased from a third-party company — is installed on your computer but not listed in the Dictionary list box, you can add it.

If you need help installing a third-party dictionary, see the installation instructions for that dictionary.

On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Spelling & Grammar tab.
Click Custom Dictionaries.
If the custom dictionary you want isn't in the Custom Dictionaries box, click Add.
Locate the folder containing the custom dictionary you want. The following are default locations for custom dictionaries.
In Microsoft Windows 2000 or later

Custom dictionaries are stored by default in the C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Proof folder.

In Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition or Microsoft Windows 98

Custom dictionaries are stored by default in either the C:\Windows_folder\Application Data\Microsoft\Proof folder or the C:\Windows_folder\Profiles\User_name\Application Data\Microsoft\Proof folder.

In Microsoft Windows NT 4.0

Custom dictionaries are stored by default in the C:\Windows_folder\Profiles\User_name\Application Data\Microsoft\Proof folder.
In the File name box, enter the name of the custom dictionary you want to add, and then click OK.
The custom dictionary appears in the list of dictionaries in the Custom Dictionaries dialog box.
If you want to make this dictionary the default dictionary, click the dictionary name, and then click Change Default.
Activate the custom dictionary.
How?
1. In the Custom Dictionaries dialog box, make sure the check box beside the dictionary's name is selected.
2. On the Spelling & Grammar tab, clear the Suggest from main dictionary only check box.

Edit a custom dictionary

Add, delete, or edit words in a custom dictionary

On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Spelling & Grammar tab.
Click Custom Dictionaries.
Select the dictionary you want to edit. Make sure you do not clear its check box.
Click Modify.
Do one of the following:
- To add a word, type it in the Word box, and then click Add.
- To delete a word, select it in the Dictionary box, and then click Delete.
- To edit a word, delete it, and then add it with the spelling you want.

Add words to a custom dictionary during a spelling check

On the Standard toolbar, click Spelling and Grammar .
In the Not in Dictionary box, make sure you see the word you want to add to a custom dictionary.
To select the custom dictionary you want to add words to, click Options. Click a dictionary in the Custom Dictionaries box, click OK, and then click OK again.
If you don't see your custom dictionary in the list, you need to activate the dictionary.
Click Add to Dictionary.

Tip

If you're using automatic spell checking, here's an even faster way to add a word to a custom dictionary: Right-click a word with a wavy red underline, and then click Add to Dictionary on the shortcut menu.

Change the language associated with a custom dictionary

By default, when you create a new custom dictionary, Word sets the dictionary to All Languages, meaning that the dictionary is used when you check the spelling of text in any language. However, you can associate a custom dictionary with a particular language so that Word only uses the dictionary when you check spelling of text in a particular language.

On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Spelling & Grammar tab.
Click Custom Dictionaries.
In the Dictionary list box, click the dictionary you want.
Click Modify.
In the Language box, click the language you want for the dictionary.

Change the default custom dictionary