How To Add Dictionary To Microsoft Word

To add a custom dictionary to Microsoft Word on Windows, open File > Options > Proofing > Custom Dictionaries, then choose Add and select your dictionary file. On a Mac, use Word > Preferences > Spelling & Grammar > Dictionaries. For another language, check Word's.

Choose the right dictionary option

A custom dictionary tells Word to accept words that its main spelling dictionary does not recognise. It is useful for surnames, organisation names, medical terminology and technical vocabulary. It does not add definitions, translations, synonyms or custom grammar rules.

Before changing settings, decide whether you need to add individual terms, import a list or check text in another language.

The instructions below cover desktop Word. Menu labels can vary between editions. You can find more application guides in our Microsoft Office articles.

Add a custom dictionary in Word for Windows

If you already have a dictionary file, save it somewhere you can locate easily. Use a file supplied for Word, such as a compatible .dic file; a downloaded document containing definitions is not a spelling dictionary.

1. Open Word and select File > Options.
2. Select Proofing, then Custom Dictionaries.
3. Choose Add and browse to the folder containing your dictionary.
4. Select the file and open it.
5. Make sure the checkbox beside the dictionary is selected, then choose OK to close the dialogue boxes.

Several custom dictionaries can be enabled together. For example, you might keep a general list of names separate from a specialist vocabulary list.

Create a dictionary or edit your word list

To start a separate list, return to Custom Dictionaries, choose New, give the dictionary a descriptive filename and save it. Select the dictionary and choose Edit Word List to add terms. Type each word, choose Add, then confirm your changes.

You can also use Edit Word List to remove an entry added by mistake. Delete the incorrect spelling, then add the correct one if needed. Check names and technical terms carefully before saving them: accepting a typo makes the spelling checker less useful.

Add a custom dictionary in Word for Mac

1. Open Word and choose Word > Preferences from the menu bar.
2. Open Spelling & Grammar, then select Dictionaries.
3. Choose Add and locate your compatible dictionary file.
4. Open the file, then ensure its checkbox is selected in the dictionary list.
5. Choose OK to apply the selection.

To create your own list, choose New in the Dictionaries dialogue box, name the file and save it. To change entries in an existing dictionary, select it and choose Edit, then save your changes. After editing, check that automatic spelling checking is enabled again.

For both platforms, Microsoft's custom dictionary instructions explain the available controls. Clear the option labelled Suggest from main dictionary only if it is selected, so Word can use your custom lists.

Add one word without importing a file

For an occasional name or industry term, you do not need a separate dictionary. Right-click the flagged word and choose Add to Dictionary. Word saves it to the default custom dictionary.

Use this for spellings you want Word to accept in future writing. If you only want to dismiss a warning during the current check, use an ignore option instead.

Set up spelling checks for another language

A custom vocabulary list supplements spelling checks; it does not install the proofing tools for an entire language. Choose the appropriate language for your text rather than adding ordinary foreign-language words individually.

Check language tools on Windows

1. Go to File > Options > Language.
2. Find the section for authoring languages and proofing, then add the language you need if it is missing.
3. Check its proofing status. If tools are available but not installed, follow the installation link. Adding a language to the list alone does not necessarily install them.
4. After installing tools, restart Office applications as directed.
5. Select the relevant text in your document, then use Review > Language > Set Proofing Language to assign its language.

Microsoft's Language Accessory Pack guidance lists the tools available for each language. On a work-managed computer, your IT team may need to install them.

Choose a proofing language on Mac

Select the text you want to check, open Tools > Language and choose its language. Word for Mac includes its supported proofing tools; importing a custom dictionary is not the way to install another language. Microsoft's Mac proofing tools list shows which languages have spelling, grammar and thesaurus support.

For British or Australian English, select the corresponding regional language. This helps Word apply the intended spelling conventions without teaching it common words individually.

Check the setup if words are still flagged

• Confirm that the imported dictionary remains ticked in the dictionary list.
• Check that the word appears in the list with the spelling you intended.
• Check the dictionary's language setting. A list restricted to one language may not apply to text marked as another.
• If Add to Dictionary is unavailable, check that a default custom dictionary is selected.

Dictionary settings are separate from Office licence setup. If an activation problem is interrupting your work, see the guide to activating Microsoft Office using CMD. If your installation troubleshooting requires licence details, the article on finding an Office product key using Command Prompt covers that separate task.

Now type a correctly spelt specialist term from your dictionary into a test document and run a spelling check to confirm Word recognises it.