Word, Excel, Don't Use British Spelling Dictionary By Default

• Microsoft Office for the Macintosh, version 4.2
• Microsoft PowerPoint for the Macintosh, version 4.0
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 5.0
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, version 6.0

SYMPTOMS

When you install Microsoft Office, if you choose to use the British dictionary, Microsoft PowerPoint uses this dictionary by default, but Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel may not.

CAUSE

This behavior is by design. When you install Microsoft Office, you receive a dialog box asking you to select the dictionary that you want to install for use with the spell checker. You can select either the American English dictionary or the British English dictionary.

However, this option is only used to set the default dictionary for PowerPoint. When you install either Microsoft PowerPoint or Microsoft Excel standalone, not using the Microsoft Office Setup program, you have the option to select the dictionary that you want to install. For Microsoft Excel, this option does not determine which dictionary is used by default.

Note that when you install Microsoft Word standalone, you do not receive a dialog box asking you to select the dictionary that you want to install. However, in Word, you can format text in your document to use a specific installed dictionary, such as the British English dictionary, when you check spelling.

WORKAROUND

To check spelling in Word using the British English dictionary installed by Microsoft Office, do the following:

1. In Word, select the text that you want to check using the British English dictionary.

2. From the Tools menu, choose Language.

3. From the Mark Selected Text As list, select English (UK), and choose OK.