MS Word Custom Dictionaries

[ntluser]

I'm running Windows XP Professional and use Office XP Professional.I've suddenly become aware that my main dictionary in MS Word is still the English(US) version despite my switching to the English(UK) version.

When I go to the Spelliing Checker settings, access the custom dictionaries dialog, Im can only find one custom.dic selection option which I assume is the US version.When I press "Add" a window opens on an empty folder as if asking me to nominate a custom dictionary file, but of course there isn't one to select.

Is it possible to obtain an English(UK) custom dictionary file version to put in the appropriate?

If not is there a method where I can create my own without deleting the US version named presumably custom.dic despite the fact that a search of my PC cannot find such a filename.

Any help greatly appreciated. TIA.

How did you go about changing the main dictionary from US to UK? First thing you should do is ensure that UK really is your default...

[ntluser]

Originally Posted by Chris T

How did you go about changing the main dictionary from US to UK? First thing you should do is ensure that UK really is your default...

I was using the spellchecker and noticed that under the window in which my selected text was displayed there was a dropdown list of dictionary languages with English(US) selected.

I typed in and selected words like "thru" and "color", ran them through the spellchecker and they were passed as OK.

I then selected English(UK) from the drop down list and as there was no OK button closed the dialog window. To check it I reselected the spellchecker ABC icon at the top and re-entered the spellchecker. It had reverted back to English(US)

I suspect that English(US) is the default and in the absence of another custom dictionary i.e English(UK) it defaults and uses English(US).

I attempted to change default but there wasn't another dictionary file to become the default so nothing happened and English(US) still remained as the default custom dictionary.

I hope all that is clear.

[gazzae]

Originally Posted by ntluser

I was using the spellchecker and noticed that under the window in which my selected text was displayed there was a dropdown list of dictionary languages with English(US) selected.

I typed in and selected words like "thru" and "color", ran them through the spellchecker and they were passed as OK.

I then selected English(UK) from the drop down list and as there was no OK button closed the dialog window. To check it I reselected the spellchecker ABC icon at the top and re-entered the spellchecker. It had reverted back to English(US)

I suspect that English(US) is the default and in the absence of another custom dictionary i.e English(UK) it defaults and uses English(US).

I attempted to change default but there wasn't another dictionary file to become the default so nothing happened and English(US) still remained as the default custom dictionary.

I hope all that is clear.

Select Tools and then Language > Select Language. Select English (UK) and then press default.

Well, Gazzae got there first ... do as he says to make UK the default dictionary. The steps you took would have been effective only for what you were trying to do at the time.

[ntluser]

Originally Posted by gazzae

Select Tools and then Language > Select Language. Select English (UK) and then press default.

Thanks for that.Seems to work OK.

Another one of life's problems solved with your help. Thanks again.