WD97: Run-time Error '1280' Setting Custom Dictionary

ID: Q163416

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When attempting to add a custom dictionary through Visual Basic for Applications using the WordBasic object, you receive the following error:

Run-time error '1280': The custom dictionary "<Custom dictionary name>" is not available.

CAUSE

The file name of the custom dictionary contains more than 128 characters. The following converted WordBasic command demonstrates the error if the contents of the string variable--in this example, FName$--which stores the file name, is greater than 128 characters:



   WordBasic.ToolsOptionsSpelling CustomDict1:=FName$

RESOLUTION

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Solution Providers, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/mcsp/

For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp

To resolve this problem, do either of the following:

Rename the file so it contains no more than 128 characters (including the path).
-or-

Use Visual Basic for Applications commands instead of the WordBasic object with WordBasic commands. For example:
```
      CustomDictionaries.Add FileName:=FName$ 
```

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q173707 OFF97: How to Run Sample Code from Knowledge Base Articles

REFERENCES

For more information about getting help with Visual Basic for Applications, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q163435 VBA: Programming Resources for Visual Basic for Applications

Additional query words: wordcon vb vba vbe


Keywords          : kbdta kbdtacode word8 kbwordvba word97 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: July 13, 1999