Q198308: WD97: New Word Is Not Added to Custom Dictionary

Article: Q198308
Product(s): Word 97 for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:97
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): word97kbfaq
Last Modified: 14-NOV-2000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Word 97 for Windows 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SYMPTOMS
========

When you check the spelling in your document and click Add to add a word to the
custom dictionary, the word is not added to the custom dictionary and you do not
receive any error message.

CAUSE
=====

This problem occurs when the custom dictionary has reached 64 kilobytes (KB)
(65,593 bytes) in size.

WORKAROUND
==========

Method 1: Add Words to the Custom Dictionary Using WordPad
----------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: Do not use Word to edit your custom dictionary. Word will truncate your
custom dictionary when the file size exceeds 64 KB.

The custom dictionary files typically are installed in either of the following
folders on your hard disk:

  <drive>\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Proof

  -or-

  <drive>\<windows folder>\Msapps\Proof

where <drive> is the letter of the hard disk that contains either of these
folders.

To determine where your custom dictionary is located, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

2. Click the Spelling & Grammar tab.

3. Click Dictionaries.

4. Select your custom dictionary. The Full Path to your custom dictionary
  appears under the Language box.

5. Click Cancel and then Close.

To add a word to your custom dictionary, open your custom dictionary into WordPad
by doing the following:

1. To start WordPad, point to Programs on the Start menu, point to Accessories,
  and then click WordPad.

2. Add the additional words you want.

3. Save the custom dictionary as a text document.

Method 2: Add A Second Custom Dictionary
----------------------------------------

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

2. Click the Spelling & Grammar tab.

3. Click the Dictionaries button.

4. Select your custom dictionary, and then click Remove.

  NOTE: You need to remove your custom dictionary, so the new dictionary you
  will add in step 5 will appear first in the list of custom dictionaries.
  Words added to a Custom Dictionary will default to the first Custom
  Dictionary dialog box.

5. Click New to add a new custom dictionary.

6. Type a name for the new custom dictionary and click Save.

7. Click Add, select the custom dictionary you removed in step 4, and click OK.

  NOTE: The custom dictionary is now the second item in the list.

You can now add words to your new custom dictionary, and Word will use both
custom dictionaries to check the spelling of your documents.

STATUS
======

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

MORE INFORMATION
================

The following are approximate limitations for a custom dictionary:

  Number of words in custom dictionaries 5,000

  Maximum custom dictionary file size 65,593 bytes (64 KB)

NOTE: The number of words contained in your custom dictionary may vary due to the
number of characters or the length of each of the words added to your custom
dictionary.

REFERENCES
==========

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

  Q142339 WD95: Operating Parameter Limitations and Specifications

  Q159790 WD97: Words Missing from Custom Dictionary After Undo

  Q162970 Installing Project 4.1 Breaks Office 97 Spelling Checker

  Q168804 WD97: Operating Parameter Limitations and Specifications

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : word97 kbfaq
Technology        : kbWordSearch kbWord97 kbWord97Search kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Hardware          : x86
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbpending

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.