Why is the add to dictionary drop down shaded in Word 2013. I can't add any new words to my dictionary - very frustrating and I feel like returning to 201o

It is enabled here.  Can you tell us more about the document, the Proofing Language, etc.

I am also facing the same problem. The option for Add to dictionary is also disabled since i installed office 2013. So each and every day, i have to recheck for the same words in the same documents again and again, which is not so very productive.

Any alternate option to add the commonly used words (by me) into dictionary on my system?

See attached screenshot.

Hey,

I just figured out the way. We need to change our default dictionary where we can add our own words. 

Actually when we got upgraded to office 2013, (i guess this was the reason), the default dictionary was updated, and i din't had permissions to write to that new dictionary (RoamingCustom.dic). 

In my word document, i just went to File > Options > Proofing > Custom Dictionaries.

Here i switched back to CUSTOM.DIC as my default dictionary.

 

And my option for 'Add to Dictionary' was back in operation. :)

Cheers :)

Many thanks, Vishal. That helped me :-)

Hi Vishal,

thanks for this this solution is working in MS word. but as i have to use Outlook. this Proofing option is not showing there. please help me out.

Regards

Mohit Singla

Hey Mohit,

For outlook, this is under FILE > OPTIONS > MAIL.

In this, go to 'Spelling and AutoCorrect' and inside the 'Custom Dictionaries' you'll get the similar option for selecting custom dictionary in Outlook.

Thank you!

Thanks so much.  This is the hint that worked.  I had tried everything else from a variety of online sites.  To change the Default was what I needed.

• Edited by Word Teacher Thursday, October 24, 2013 8:10 PM

Ditto!

Hi,

Here below I am combining Vishal's solution with another solution that I found while trying to apply Vishal's solution which didn't work for me however gave me the correct direction to follow. For the benefit of others, I have merged his solution with what works for mine in a single post.

In Menu go to File > Options > Mail > Spelling and Autocorrect > Proofing > Custom Dictionaries.

First check Solution 1:

Here check if default dictionary is CUSTOM.DIC or not. If it is not then make CUSTOM.DIC as default. Save and now check. It should be back.

Solution 2:
Still if above is either not working or your default dictionary is already CUSTOM.DIC, then in the same screen (near the bottom) check the default dictionary language and match it with your System Default Language. In my case, the first option didn't work as CUSTOM.DIC was already selected. But my System default language was ENGLISH (US) and my dictionary default language was ENGLISH (UK). Switching it back to English (US) did the trick for me.

Update: I found that regardless of the System Default Language, switching the Dictionary Default Language to All Languages does the trick as well.

Hope this helps.

S M Khurram Quaseem.

• Proposed as answer by vishal0soni Wednesday, February 19, 2014 12:21 PM
• Edited by skhurram007 Wednesday, February 19, 2014 12:28 PM Found another easier solution.

Great!  Thanks!!  Worked!!!

Roland67! I am glad. Can you please say a few words for which of the proposed solutions worked for you. It will help out others.

Thanks.

When I try this, the "file path" shows no address box or path and the main box is blank. Changing from "all languages" to "english", which is what I need, changes nothing. Clicking "create" or "add" sends me to "UProof" but there is only a list of files with red icons entitled "Excludedictionaryen", "excludedictionaryfr" etc. I've tried this with a file open and with no file open and have the same problem.

Didn't come up exactly as you posted but using the Custom (default) dictionary only did the trick.

THANKS!

@vishal0soni Advaiya - Well done, you make my day ^^

Hi Vishal,

Thanks a lot for the proper solution for WORD & OUTLOOK too.

Regards,

ANI

We progressed but Microsoft have put reverse gear in their progress specially concern to OFFICE 2013 just because they FORCE to sell Office-365. No doubt Office 2013 is worst-not friendly and makes me frustrated as many you are. Hopefully any from MS note our frustration and improve and NOT go back to cave.

Vishal, you are now my hero (at least for today!).  That's been making me crazy!  Thanks...

Hi

Thanks...excellent! Worked, been very frustrating. I should of looked for this sooner!

Much appreciated.

Hey Miagalve, 

i am glad to know it worked for you. :)

Cheers !!!

I am just experiencing this problem now with my new install of Office 2013. This is such a typical nasty annoyance that I have always found in Microsoft products. We shouldn't have to come to an answer forum to find out how to enable functionality like this. If anything, when the context menu pops up, and the "Add to Dictionary" item is disabled like this, there should also be an item labeled something like "Find out how to enable 'Add to Dictionary'"! UGH.

Well, There is always a better way to do almost anything in the world. 

But still, at least things are getting done even if not perfectly. 

Thank you Vishal. I changed my dictionary language to "All Language" and it works. Now I can add word to dictionary.

• Edited by Ayorex Tuesday, June 02, 2015 6:33 PM

Thanks ya legend!