Custom Dictionary in Word: How to Create One

This guide shows you how to create a custom dictionary in Microsoft Word, so you can add specialized terms, names, or jargon that the built-in spell checker doesn’t recognize. With a custom dictionary, Word will stop flagging your unique words as misspelled and will even suggest them when you type. You’ll need Microsoft Word installed (2016, 2019, 2021, or Microsoft 365) and a document open to access the settings.

What You’ll Need

• Microsoft Word (desktop version for Windows or Mac)
• A document that contains the words you want to add (optional but helpful)
• Administrator rights on your computer (to save dictionary files in some setups)

Step-by-Step

1. Open Word and go to Options. Click the File tab in the top-left corner, then scroll down and click Options at the bottom of the left sidebar. On a Mac, go to the Tools menu and select Spelling and Grammar.
2. Navigate to Proofing. In the Word Options dialog box, click Proofing in the left panel. This is where all spelling and grammar settings live.
3. Open Custom Dictionaries. In the Proofing section, look for the When correcting spelling and grammar in Word area. Click the button labeled Custom Dictionaries…. A new window will pop up.
4. Create a new dictionary. In the Custom Dictionaries window, click New. A file explorer dialog appears. Choose a location (the default folder is fine), type a name for your dictionary (e.g., “Technical Terms”), and click Save. The new dictionary will appear in the list.
5. Set it as the default (optional). To make Word use your new dictionary automatically, select it in the list and click Change Default. This ensures that when you right-click a word and choose “Add to Dictionary,” it goes to your custom one instead of the standard custom.dic file.
6. Add words manually. Select your dictionary in the list and click Edit Word List. Type each word you want to add in the “Word(s)” field and click Add. Repeat for all terms, then click OK.
7. Add words from your document (quick method). If you have a document open, right-click any word underlined with a red squiggly line. Choose Add to Dictionary. Word adds it to the default dictionary (which you set in step 5).
8. Apply and close. Click OK in the Custom Dictionaries window, then OK again in Word Options. Your custom dictionary is now active.

Common Mistakes

• Adding words to the wrong dictionary. If you don’t set your new dictionary as default, right-clicking “Add to Dictionary” sends words to the built-in custom.dic. Always check which dictionary is highlighted in the list.
• Capitalization and punctuation. Custom dictionaries are case-sensitive. If you add “iPhone” with a lowercase “p”, it won’t match “IPhone” or “iphone”. Also, don’t include punctuation like periods or commas—they’ll be treated as part of the word.
• Forgetting to click “OK”. Many users close the dialog with the X button, which discards changes. Always use OK to save.
• Using the wrong file type. When creating a new dictionary, make sure you save as a .dic file (Word does this by default). Don’t change the extension.

Tips

• Keep a backup. Custom dictionary files are stored in a folder like %AppData%\Microsoft\UProof on Windows. Copy the .dic file to a safe location to avoid losing it during reinstalls.
• Use it for multiple languages. You can create separate dictionaries for different languages or projects. For example, one for medical terms and another for legal jargon.
• Edit the .dic file directly. If you have many words, you can open the .dic file in Notepad (one word per line) and save it. This is faster than typing each one in the dialog.
• Share dictionaries. You can copy a .dic file to another computer and place it in the same UProof folder. Then add it via Custom Dictionaries > Add.
• Use “Add to Dictionary” sparingly. Only add words you use regularly. If you add a misspelled word by accident, it will be accepted forever. Remove it via Edit Word List.

Troubleshooting

• Word still flags words as misspelled. First, check that your custom dictionary is checked in the Custom Dictionaries list (there’s a checkbox). If it is, make sure the word is actually in the list. Also, verify that the language of the dictionary matches the language of your document (e.g., English (US) vs. English (UK)).
• “Add to Dictionary” is grayed out. This happens when the document is protected or in a read-only mode. Save the document as editable, or check if you have permission to modify it.
• New dictionary doesn’t appear in the list. You might have saved it in a location that Word doesn’t scan. Use the default folder (usually %AppData%\Microsoft\UProof on Windows, or ~/Library/Preferences/Microsoft on Mac). If you saved it elsewhere, click Add in the Custom Dictionaries window and navigate to the file.
• Changes don’t take effect. Close all Word documents and restart Word. The dictionary is loaded at startup.
• Dictionary file is corrupted. If you see an error when opening the dictionary, delete the .dic file and recreate it. You can also try opening it in Notepad to see if it’s readable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use a custom dictionary in Word Online?
A: No, Word for the web doesn’t support custom dictionaries. You’ll need the desktop version to create and use them.

Q: How do I remove a word from a custom dictionary?
A: Go to File > Options > Proofing > Custom Dictionaries. Select the dictionary, click Edit Word List, find the word, and click Delete.

Q: Can I have more than one custom dictionary?
A: Yes, you can create as many as you want. Just make sure the ones you want to use are checked in the Custom Dictionaries list.

Q: Will custom dictionaries work across all my Microsoft Office apps?
A: Yes, the same dictionary files are shared with Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Words you add in Word will be recognized in those apps too.

Q: How do I export or import a custom dictionary?
A: The .dic file is plain text. You can copy it to another computer and place it in the same folder, then add it via Custom Dictionaries > Add.

Q: Why does Word suggest a word from my custom dictionary with a capital letter?
A: The dictionary stores words exactly as you entered them. If you added “Google” with a capital G, Word will suggest that form. For case-insensitive matching, you’d need to add both forms.

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