ACC95: Spelling Checker Flags Words Already in Custom Dictionary

• Microsoft Access version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

The spelling checker flags words already added to a custom dictionary file.

CAUSE

The spelling checker included with Microsoft Access 7.0 has a file size limit of 64 kilobytes (K) for custom dictionary files. If you add more words, existing entries in the custom dictionary may be deleted or modified. The result is that the spelling checker flags words you've previously added to the custom dictionary.

RESOLUTION

Limit custom dictionary file sizes to less than 64K (65536 bytes). If necessary, create several custom dictionaries, each for a different subject, with each custom dictionary file less than 64K in size.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Access 7.0. This problem no longer occurs in Microsoft Access 97.

MORE INFORMATION

The spelling checker included with Microsoft Access 7.0 enables you to create custom dictionary files for words not already included in the main dictionary.

If the size of a custom dictionary file exceeds 64K, when you add more words, existing entries in the custom dictionary may be deleted or modified. The result is that the spelling checker flags words you've previously added to the custom dictionary.

You can create many custom dictionary files, but the spelling checker uses only one custom dictionary at a time. Custom dictionaries are unformatted text files stored in the Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Proof folder.

To use a specific custom dictionary with the spelling checker, check the spelling of a word you know to be incorrect. When the spelling checker highlights the misspelled word and opens the Spelling dialog box, choose the custom dictionary you want in the "Add Words To" box. The next time you use the spelling checker, it will use the custom dictionary you've chosen, together with the main dictionary included with Microsoft Access 7.0.

REFERENCES

For more information about the spelling checker, search for the topic "check spelling" using the Answer Wizard from the Microsoft Access 7.0 Help menu.