Office for Mac Issues

Fix Word for Mac Adding Spaces to Custom Dictionary Files

Ayan Masood Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to stop Word for Mac from automatically inserting three spaces before every word in their custom dictionary files, which makes the dictionary unusable.

How to Fix Word for Mac Adding Spaces to Custom Dictionary Files

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Editing and maintaining a custom spelling dictionary in Word for Mac.
Observed behavior: Word for Mac repeatedly adds three consecutive spaces before words in custom dictionary files. Deleting the spaces and saving the file temporarily removes them, but the spaces automatically reappear when the file is reopened.

Before you start

Before modifying application support files, ensure Microsoft Word is completely closed and copy your original custom dictionary file to your Mac's Desktop to serve as a secure backup.

Solution 1Recommended

Clean Dictionary Formatting Using TextEdit

Strip out hidden formatting or encoding issues by editing the dictionary file in Mac's default plain text editor rather than Word.

Sometimes Microsoft Word for Mac incorrectly applies hidden formatting or misinterprets file encoding when saving dictionaries, causing phantom spaces to appear. Using a plain text editor removes this hidden data.

Locate the Dictionary File

Open Finder, hold down the 'Option' key, and click 'Go' > 'Library' in the top menu bar. Navigate to 'Group Containers' > 'UBF8T346G9.Office' > 'Custom Dictionary' (the exact path may vary slightly by Office version).

Open with TextEdit

Right-click the custom dictionary file, select 'Open With', and choose 'TextEdit'. Do not open the file with Microsoft Word.

Find and Replace Extra Spaces

Press 'Command + F' to open the Find menu. Type three spaces in the search bar, leave the replace bar completely empty, and click 'All' to remove the added spaces.

Convert to Plain Text and Save

In the top menu bar, click 'Format' > 'Make Plain Text' to strip any rich text formatting. Save the file (Command + S) and close TextEdit.

Re-link the Dictionary in Word

Launch Microsoft Word, go to 'Word' > 'Preferences' > 'Spelling & Grammar', click 'Dictionaries', and ensure your newly cleaned dictionary is checked and set as the default.

Clean Dictionary Formatting Using TextEdit

Proper Encoding: Ensuring the file is saved as Plain Text with UTF-8 encoding prevents Word from misreading byte-order marks that might be interpreted as extra spaces.

Solution 2

Report the Defect to Microsoft Support

If the plain text workaround fails, the issue is likely a software defect in your specific build of Word for Mac requiring Microsoft engineering intervention.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Mac for Hassle-Free Document Editing

If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to corrupt your custom dictionary files with unexplainable formatting bugs, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for macOS users, offering excellent spell-checking and document editing without the formatting glitches.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office for Mac installer.
2. Install on Mac: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word documents seamlessly to enjoy reliable editing.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats.Reliable and customizable spell-checking dictionaries.Lightweight architecture optimized for macOS performance.Free to download and use with a highly familiar user interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the custom dictionary file located on a Mac?

In newer versions of Microsoft Office for Mac, custom dictionaries are typically stored in the hidden Library folder. You can find them by navigating to ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/Custom Dictionary or ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/Preferences/Office [Version]/Custom Dictionary.

Why does my custom dictionary stop working in Word?

Custom dictionaries can stop functioning correctly if they contain unrecognized formatting, incorrect character encoding (like UTF-16 instead of UTF-8), or if a software glitch automatically injects spaces or symbols that invalidate the word list.

Can I use a standard text editor to edit a Word custom dictionary?

Yes, using a plain text editor like TextEdit on a Mac is highly recommended for troubleshooting. Editing the dictionary directly in Word can sometimes introduce hidden rich text formatting, whereas a text editor ensures the file remains a clean, plain list of words.

Office App Problems