XL: "Smart" Apostrophes Cause Errors when Checking Spelling

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.0a

SYMPTOMS

In the versions of Microsoft Excel listed above, if your worksheet contains a word that contains a curly ("smart") apostrophe, you may encounter errors when you use the Spelling command.

CAUSE

The Spelling checker does not distinguish between a straight apostrophe and a "smart" apostrophe when it checks words. However, if you add a word that contains a "smart" apostrophe to the custom spelling dictionary, future occurrences of the word will still be regarded as misspelled by the spelling checker. If you try to add the same word to the custom dictionary again, the Spelling command will halt and you will receive the error message:

   Cannot read custom dictionary

WORKAROUND

To add a word that contains a "smart" apostrophe to your custom spelling dictionary, enter the word on a worksheet using a straight apostrophe first and then run the spelling checker. When the spelling checker flags the word with the apostrophe, add the word to the custom dictionary. A word that contains a "smart" apostrophe will be interpreted by the spelling checker as a word with a straight apostrophe. As a result, no error will be generated when you check the spelling of your document.

STATUS

This is a known problem in the versions of Microsoft Excel listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

A "smart" apostrophe resembles a straight apostrophe but is entered using a key combination. In Microsoft Excel, you can enter a "smart" apostrophe by using one of three key combinations:

   Operating System   Key Combination
   --------------------------------------------

   Windows            ALT+0145 (numeric keypad)
   Windows            ALT+0146 (numeric keypad)

   Macintosh          OPTION+SHIFT+]
   Macintosh          OPTION+]