MS Word

Create a Custom Dictionary Quickly

The Problem:

Adding words to a custom dictionary one by one is fine for casual use, but I've got a whole list of terms that I'd like to lump into a custom dictionary all at once. Isn't there a faster way?

The Solution:

Indeed there is. A dictionary file is just a text file saved with the .dic extension that contains a list of acceptable words, one to a line. You can create a new dictionary file using a text editor such as Notepad, WordPad, or Word itself. For example:

  1. Choose Start » All Programs » Accessories » Notepad. Notepad opens with a new text document.

  2. If you have an existing list of words for the dictionary, paste it in. Alternatively, type the list of words. Either way, make sure there's only one word to a line.

  3. Choose File » Save, and then navigate to the folder in which you want to save the dictionary file.

  4. In the File Name text box, type the name for the dictionary, including the .dic extension, inside a pair of double quotation marksfor example, "Icelandic Monarchs.dic". Then click the Save button.

  5. Load the custom dictionary in Word.

Unstick the Spelling Checker

The Problem:

Every now and then, the spelling checker has trouble with a particular word and checks it repeatedly until I cancel the spelling check.

The Solution:

This normally happens only when you click the Change All button in the Spelling and Grammar dialog box, the queried word isn't in the main dictionary or a custom dictionary, and the document contains multiple instances of the word.

The easiest solution is to cancel the spelling check and use Replace (Edit » Replace) to replace all the instances of the offending word. Alternatively, if the word is correct, add it to the main dictionary or a custom dictionary.