How to Limit a Word Custom Dictionary to One Document
Question details
The user wants to know if it is possible to restrict a custom spelling dictionary so that it only applies to one specific Microsoft Word document instead of the entire application.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Writing a specific document (such as a novel or technical manual) containing unique terminology that should be recognized as correct in that file, but flagged as misspelled in general documents.
- Observed behavior
- By default, custom dictionaries in Word are application-wide. Words added to the dictionary while working on one file are automatically accepted as correctly spelled in all other documents opened on that computer.
Understand that Microsoft Word handles spelling and grammar at the application level, so there is no built-in toggle to link a dictionary strictly to one document file. Before trying the workarounds below, determine if you want to manually swap dictionaries or simply bypass spell check for your custom terminology entirely.
Create and Toggle a Dedicated Custom Dictionary
Create a separate custom dictionary specifically for your document and manually turn it on or off in the Proofing options when working on that file.
Since Word does not natively support document-specific dictionaries, the most effective workaround is managing your dictionaries manually. You can store this dedicated dictionary locally or in a cloud drive like OneDrive so it can be easily accessed across different devices while you work on your project.
Open Microsoft Word, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu. In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Proofing' in the left-hand sidebar.
Under the 'When correcting spelling in Microsoft Office programs' section, click the 'Custom Dictionaries...' button.
Click 'New...' and give your dictionary a recognizable name (e.g., 'MyBookDictionary.dic'). Save it in the default folder or a cloud-synced folder like OneDrive.
Check the box next to this new dictionary to enable it when editing your specific document. When you switch to working on other general documents, return to this menu and uncheck the box to disable it.
Apply a No-Proofing Style to Specific Text
Bypass the spell checker entirely for specific words by creating a custom text style that ignores spelling and grammar, which travels securely with the document.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share a custom dictionary with another user?
Yes, you can share the actual .dic file with other users. You can email the file or share it via a cloud drive. The recipient must save it to their computer, open Word's Custom Dictionaries menu, and use the 'Add' button to import it.
Why are words in my custom dictionary still showing as misspelled?
Ensure that the custom dictionary is checked and enabled in your Proofing settings. Additionally, check the 'Dictionary language' setting in the Custom Dictionaries dialog; if the dictionary is set to a specific language (like English UK) but your text is formatted as another (like English US), the words may still be flagged.
Does the 'Do not check spelling' formatting stay with the document if I email it?
Yes. If you apply the 'Do not check spelling or grammar' attribute to a style or directly to the text, that formatting travels with the document file. Anyone who opens the document on another computer will see those exact words ignored by their spell checker.
How can I suggest adding document-specific dictionaries to Microsoft Word?
You can submit feature requests directly to Microsoft. Open Word, navigate to 'File', select 'Feedback', and click on 'Send a Suggestion' to explain how document-specific dictionaries would improve your workflow.
