Office Settings & Configuration

How to Transfer a Microsoft Word Custom Dictionary to Another Computer

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to migrate their custom dictionary containing saved words and spelling exceptions from Microsoft Word on an old computer to a new device.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Migrating Office settings and personal custom dictionaries when upgrading or switching to a new computer.
Observed behavior: Requires the correct file path and method to move the Custom.dic file so that the spell checker recognizes previously saved words on the new device.

Before you start

Before you begin, ensure that Microsoft Word is completely closed on both your old and new computers to prevent any file access errors or overwriting conflicts during the transfer.

Solution 1Recommended

Directly Copy the Custom.dic File via File Explorer

The quickest way to migrate your dictionary is by copying the custom dictionary file directly from the Windows AppData folder and pasting it into the exact same folder on the new computer.

Microsoft Word saves your custom spelling exceptions in a specific system folder. By manually copying this file, you can bring all your saved words to your new device in seconds.

Locate the Dictionary File

Open File Explorer on your old computer and navigate to C:\Users\%Username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\UProof\.

Copy the File

Find the file named 'Custom.dic'. Right-click it and select 'Copy', then paste it onto a USB flash drive or into your cloud storage.

Transfer to the New Computer

On your new computer, open File Explorer and navigate to the exact same UProof folder path: C:\Users\%Username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\UProof\.

Paste and Replace

Paste the 'Custom.dic' file into this folder. If prompted that a file with the same name already exists, choose 'Replace the file in the destination'.

Hidden Folders: The AppData folder is hidden by default in Windows. You may need to click the 'View' tab in File Explorer and check the 'Hidden items' box to see it.

Solution 2

Import the Custom Dictionary through Word Options

If you prefer not to replace files in hidden system folders, you can import the custom dictionary directly from within the Microsoft Word interface.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I find the AppData folder on my Windows PC?

The AppData folder is a system folder that is hidden by default in Windows. To view it, open File Explorer, click the 'View' tab at the top of the window, and check the box labeled 'Hidden items'.

Can I merge two custom dictionaries instead of replacing one?

Yes. Instead of overwriting the Custom.dic file, you can open both dictionary files using the Windows Notepad app. Simply copy the list of words from your old dictionary and paste them at the bottom of the Custom.dic file on your new computer, then save the file.

Does this file path work for transferring dictionaries on a Mac computer?

No, the file path provided (C:\Users\%Username%\...) is exclusively for Windows operating systems. On a Mac, the Microsoft Word custom dictionary is typically located in the Library folder under '~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/Custom Dictionary'.

Why isn't Word recognizing my transferred dictionary words?

Ensure that the dictionary is actually enabled within the software. Go to File > Options > Proofing > Custom Dictionaries, and verify that the checkbox next to your newly added 'Custom.dic' is ticked.

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