Create, add, and manage dictionaries

InDesign utilizes Hunspell dictionaries to verify spelling and hyphenation, allowing customization by adding words. You can assign different languages to text and ensure appropriate dictionary usage. You can also create additional user dictionaries, and import or export word lists for customization, including global words.

Customizing the dictionary allows you to add or remove words for spell-checking accuracy. Utilize the Dictionary dialog box to manage added, removed, and ignored words, including universal terms like last names and street names.

Set the default language dictionary

You can change the default language dictionary for a document or all new documents you create. Changing the default dictionary in an existing document doesn’t affect the existing or new text you type into a current frame.

Manage user dictionaries

You can create a user dictionary or add dictionaries from any of the following spaces:

• Previous InDesign or InCopy versions.
• Files sent by others.
• A server where your workgroup’s user dictionary is stored.

The dictionary you add is used for all your InDesign documents.

The dictionary is added to the list under the Language menu. You can add words to the dictionary when checking spelling or by using the Dictionary dialog box.

Add or remove words from dictionaries

If, during a spell check, InDesign displays an unfamiliar word in the Check Spelling dialog, select the dictionary from the Add To menu and then select Add. You can also use the Dictionary dialog to specify the target dictionary and language and indicate how words are added to an exception word list.

Import or export a word list

You can export word lists to a text file (.txt) and then import that list of words into a user dictionary in InDesign. The words in the text file must be separated by a space, tab, or paragraph return. You can export added words and removed words, but you cannot export ignored words, which are used only in the current session.

The list of words is saved in a text file. You can edit this list of words in any text editor, and then import the word list. You can also send the word list to others, who can import it into their user dictionaries.

More like this

• Check spelling, autocorrect, and dynamic spelling
• Change dictionary preferences
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• Add or remove Hunspell dictionaries | CC, CS6
• Assign a language to text

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