# Changing spell check dictionaries in Word- why won't it stick?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-spell-check-dictionaries-in-word-why-wont-it-stick/445464>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 15, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-spell-check-dictionaries-in-word-why-wont-it-stick/445464 "2008-04-15T17:36:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Bert\_Nobbins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@Bert\_Nobbins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bert_Nobbins)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-spell-check-dictionaries-in-word-why-wont-it-stick/445464/1 "2008-04-15T17:36:41Z")

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I’m using Word 2003 in England, under Windows XP. Whenever I do a spellcheck, the dictionary comes up as English (US). I can change it to English (UK), but it changes right back to English (US) as soon as it moves on to the next word.

Control Panel-\>Regional & Language Options is set to English (UK).

This is driving me mad! I assume there’s some way to change it so it sticks but I haven’t found it yet. Any assistance would be most appreciated.

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**Author:** ![Purgatory\_Creek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Purgatory\_Creek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purgatory_Creek)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-spell-check-dictionaries-in-word-why-wont-it-stick/445464/2 "2008-04-15T17:54:31Z")

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This is probably a stupid question. Do you have a button that says “Default” on the dialog box for Tools\>Language\>Set Language? I’ve only got Word 2002, but I do have the default button there, and if I click it I can change my default dictionary to English (UK), Afrikaans, etc.

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**Author:** ![Bert\_Nobbins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@Bert\_Nobbins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bert_Nobbins)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-spell-check-dictionaries-in-word-why-wont-it-stick/445464/3 "2008-04-15T18:03:59Z")

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[QUOTE=Purgatory Creek]  
This is probably a stupid question. Do you have a button that says “Default” on the dialog box for Tools\>Language\>Set Language? I’ve only got Word 2002, but I do have the default button there, and if I click it I can change my default dictionary to English (UK), Afrikaans, etc.  
[/QUOTE]

That’s a most intelligent question- it has solved my problem. Maybe it’s me,but it seems a most counterintuitive way to set it.

Many thanks for prompt help. Ignorance fought and vanquished!

I love the Dope.

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**Author:** ![Purgatory\_Creek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@Purgatory\_Creek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purgatory_Creek)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-spell-check-dictionaries-in-word-why-wont-it-stick/445464/4 "2008-04-15T18:23:55Z")

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[QUOTE=Bert Nobbins]  
That’s a most intelligent question- it has solved my problem. Maybe it’s me,but it seems a most counterintuitive way to set it.

Many thanks for prompt help. Ignorance fought and vanquished!

I love the Dope.  
[/QUOTE]

No, it’s not just you. It seems a clumsy way to do it, especially when the “OK” button would work in most situations.

Glad I could help!

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**Author:** ![MarcusF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\
**Post date:** [April 15, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-spell-check-dictionaries-in-word-why-wont-it-stick/445464/5 "2008-04-15T20:27:27Z")

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Thanks - I was struggling with this the other day when using a strange laptop!