Add Button Unavailable in the Spelling Dialog Box

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.1a, 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

SYMPTOMS

The Add button in the Spelling dialog box (or Spelling shortcut menu, in Word for Windows 95) is unavailable (dimmed).

This problem does not occur in Word 97.

CAUSE

Case 1 - The Custom Dictionary check box is not selected.

Case 2 - The custom dictionary currently being used is read-only or in a

         read-only directory.

         document.

Case 5 - The custom dictionary does not exist.

RESOLUTION

Word for Windows 95, version 7.0

Case 1 - The Custom Dictionary check box is not selected.

To correct this problem:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

Case 2 - The custom dictionary currently being used is read-only or in a

------   read-only directory.

   C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Proof\Custom.dic

Case 3 - The custom dictionary is set for a different language than the

------   document.

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

   the document is set for. The default for this setting is <None>. The
   language of the document is set by selecting the document and clicking
   Language on the Tools menu.

The Custom.dic file might be open for editing. Word does not allow you to add words to the custom dictionary while it is open. To resolve this issue, close the Custom.dic file.

Case 5 - The custom dictionary does not exist.

If the Custom.dic file had been deleted during the session of Word, then Add would not be available in the Spelling dialog box. Either re-create the Custom.dic file (saved as a text file) in the proper location or restart Word. If Word is restarted, it will detect that there is no Custom.dic file and will prompt you to create one when you attempt to add a word to the Custom.dic file.

Notes on the Spelling Checker in Word for Windows 95

Word uses the following procedure to search for the spelling checker:

1. Word looks for the custom dictionary in the folder indicated in the Windows 95 Registry. By default, the folder and filename are

         C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\proof\Custom.dic
   

2. If Word does not find the file there, Word looks in its own program folder.

3. If Word does not find the CUSTOM.DIC there, Word asks you if you want to create a new custom dictionary and states the path where it intends to put the file. It asks for the name of the custom dictionary file you want to create.

Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c

Case 1 - Word 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c only - The Custom Dictionary check box is

----------------------------------   not selected.

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

Case 2 - The custom dictionary currently being used is read-only or in a

------   read-only directory.

   C:\Windows\Msapps\Proof\Custom.dic

Case 3 - Word 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c only - The custom dictionary is set for a

----------------------------------   different language than the document.

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

   setting is <None>. The Language of the document is set by selecting the
   document and clicking Language on the Tools menu.

The Custom.dic file might be open for editing. Word will not allow you to add words to the custom dictionary while it is open. To resolve this issue, close the Custom.dic file.

Case 5 - The custom dictionary does not exist.

If the Custom.dic file had been deleted during the session of Word, then Add would not be available in the Spelling dialog box. Either re-create the Custom.dic file (saved as a text file) in the proper location or restart Word. If Word is restarted, then it will detect that there is no Custom.dic file and will prompt you to create one when you attempt to add a word to the Custom.dic file.

Notes on the Spelling Checker in Word 2.x and 6.x

Word uses the following procedure to search for the spelling checker:

1. Word looks for the custom dictionary in the folder indicated in the [MS Proofing Tools] section of the Win.ini file. By default, the directory and filename are C:\Windows\Msapps\Proof\Custom.dic.

2. If Word does not find the file there, Word looks in its own program folder.

3. If Word does not find the Custom.dic there, Word asks you if you want to create a new custom dictionary and states the path where it intends to put the file.

4. Even if you choose the No button when Word asks if you want to create a new custom dictionary, Word creates one anyway.

5. If the path where Word intends to create Custom.dic is not valid, Word places the new Custom.dic file in the Word program folder.