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Can't add words to Microsoft Word
- Thread starter cmm
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funny i had the same issue the other day - a quick restart of the program fixed it.
But it could also be that your custom dictionary (i.e. words you add) is full. I'm not sure how to fix that though..
But it could also be that your custom dictionary (i.e. words you add) is full. I'm not sure how to fix that though..
For what it's worth, the custom dictionary isn't located there. The default custom dictionary is:
~/library/preferences/microsoft/custom dictionary
But now then... Go to Preferences -> Spelling & Grammar. Make sure that something is selected under Custom Dictionary. If not, click on the Dictionaries button and either try to find and add the file listed above, or make a new custom dictionary.
~/library/preferences/microsoft/custom dictionary
But now then... Go to Preferences -> Spelling & Grammar. Make sure that something is selected under Custom Dictionary. If not, click on the Dictionaries button and either try to find and add the file listed above, or make a new custom dictionary.
Thank you, as in it worked? 
If something I said fixed your problem, or if you otherwise solved your problem, can you please post what you did, so that other people can use it in the future if they have the same issue? Thank you!
If something I said fixed your problem, or if you otherwise solved your problem, can you please post what you did, so that other people can use it in the future if they have the same issue? Thank you!
I also have the problem of adding words to Custom Dictionary. Mine is still greyed out, after creating a new one and adding it to the custom dictionaries list in Word prefs->Spelling & Grammar. I chose English (UK) for Custom Dictionary.
Anybody have any ideas?
Anybody have any ideas?
thanks
THANK YOU! i can't believe it worked for once. I usually come to this site for help and i'm disappointed when these remedies fail. But thanks for the help.
THANK YOU! i can't believe it worked for once. I usually come to this site for help and i'm disappointed when these remedies fail. But thanks for the help.
Works like a charm!
Tools> Spelling and Grammar> Options>
1. Uncheck "Suggest from main dictionary only"
2. Click "Dictionaries" > check "custom dictionary" > click "ok".
Done!
Tools> Spelling and Grammar> Options>
1. Uncheck "Suggest from main dictionary only"
2. Click "Dictionaries" > check "custom dictionary" > click "ok".
Done!
Here's what I found: The Custom Dictionary needs to be checked as English(US) for the add option to work. I'm not sure why but I think it is because the native mac dictionary is US English by default. In the UK it is a constant problem among mac users. I had my custom dictionary set as English (UK) all the time and couldn't figure out why I can't add a simple word like colour to it. So I changed the cust dict language to English (US) and the add option came on. Alternatively you can set the custom dictionary language to (none) and it will work just the same.
I never had this problem until today, when I decided to try turning off the "check spelling as you type" feture. Now, as others have described, "add" is greyed out when I preform the spell check / also when I re-enable "check spelling as you type."
I made sure that Custom dictionary was checked, and that my language was US English. I can even open up my custom dictionary and see all the words I've added over the last year. But for some reason, when I run the spell check now, I get a message that reads: "The custom dictionary 'Custom Dictinoary' is not available." What gives?
I made sure that Custom dictionary was checked, and that my language was US English. I can even open up my custom dictionary and see all the words I've added over the last year. But for some reason, when I run the spell check now, I get a message that reads: "The custom dictionary 'Custom Dictinoary' is not available." What gives?
Thanks for the explanation, Sevenchild. Worked like a charm; "Mohism" is now officially a word as far as this computer's copy of Microsoft Office is concerned.
Speaking of which, I'm curious what words YOU all were trying to add... I think it would make a funny thread to get a list going.
Speaking of which, I'm curious what words YOU all were trying to add... I think it would make a funny thread to get a list going.
It works like this (Word 2011):
1. You can place your custom dictionary anywhere (works great in Dropbox for use on several computers
2. Go to Spelling & Grammar > Dictionaries to get to the window called "custom Dictionaries". Here you can create a new dictionary anywhere on your computer and choose which custom dictionaries are active. The 'Language' option here associates that particular custom dictionary with a language of your choice. Select (none) to be able to use it with any language.
3. NOW THIS IS WHAT BUGS A FEW PEOPLE I THINK!
If you have associated your custom dictionary to fx 'English (UK)', then the document language must also be set to 'English (UK)', otherwise your custom dictionary is not active (and the Add button is grayed out). So in this case mark all your text (Cmd+a), go to Tools > Language and select 'English (UK)'.
4. To be able to edit/modify a custom dictionary e.g. add/remove words manually, that particular custom dictionary must not be in use by the document. So if your having problems modifying your custom dictionary you can close your document, create a New Blank Document and make sure the language are set to another language than your custom dictionary is associated to. Then you should be able to edit the custom dictionary.
This worked for me and I hope it helps a few people
1. You can place your custom dictionary anywhere (works great in Dropbox for use on several computers
2. Go to Spelling & Grammar > Dictionaries to get to the window called "custom Dictionaries". Here you can create a new dictionary anywhere on your computer and choose which custom dictionaries are active. The 'Language' option here associates that particular custom dictionary with a language of your choice. Select (none) to be able to use it with any language.
3. NOW THIS IS WHAT BUGS A FEW PEOPLE I THINK!
If you have associated your custom dictionary to fx 'English (UK)', then the document language must also be set to 'English (UK)', otherwise your custom dictionary is not active (and the Add button is grayed out). So in this case mark all your text (Cmd+a), go to Tools > Language and select 'English (UK)'.
4. To be able to edit/modify a custom dictionary e.g. add/remove words manually, that particular custom dictionary must not be in use by the document. So if your having problems modifying your custom dictionary you can close your document, create a New Blank Document and make sure the language are set to another language than your custom dictionary is associated to. Then you should be able to edit the custom dictionary.
This worked for me and I hope it helps a few people
thank you!
Jimcil and Flopsy007, both of those suggestions worked.
Thank you so much, this issue has plagued me, too!!
Jimcil and Flopsy007, both of those suggestions worked.
Thank you so much, this issue has plagued me, too!!
Finally a solution!
I have been trying to figure out why my Word dictionary won't let me add words for over a year! And it turns out it was the simplest of things - I had changed my dictionary to English (AUS). Upon changing it back to English (US) I have been able to add words.
I can't begin to explain how relieved I am to have found an answer, it is so frustrating to constantly have to 'ignore all' Australian spelling of words because I couldn't add them to the dictionary! So thank you!
I have been trying to figure out why my Word dictionary won't let me add words for over a year! And it turns out it was the simplest of things - I had changed my dictionary to English (AUS). Upon changing it back to English (US) I have been able to add words.
I can't begin to explain how relieved I am to have found an answer, it is so frustrating to constantly have to 'ignore all' Australian spelling of words because I couldn't add them to the dictionary! So thank you!