InDesign CS4 | ![]() |
|
Hyphenation and spelling dictionariesInDesign uses Proximity dictionaries for most languages to verify spelling and to hyphenate words. You can add words to each dictionary to customize it. You can assign different languages to text, and InDesign uses the appropriate dictionary to handle spelling and hyphenation. You can create additional user dictionaries, and you can import or export word lists saved in a plain text file. When you customize the words in a dictionary, you actually create
lists of added words (words that aren’t already in
the dictionary) and removed words (existing dictionary
words that you want to be flagged as a potential misspelling). The Dictionary
dialog box lets you display and edit added words, removed words, and ignored
words (words that are ignored for the current session because
you clicked Ignore All). You can add words that apply to all languages,
which is especially useful for last names, street names, and other
items that aren’t specific to a language.
![]() Where dictionary words are storedBy default, hyphenation and spelling exceptions are located in user dictionary files stored outside the document on the computer where InDesign is installed (dictionary file names end with a .clam or .not extension). However, you can also store exception lists inside any InDesign document. In addition, you can store word lists in an external user dictionary, in the document, or in both. The location of existing dictionaries appears in the Dictionary preferences. Storing hyphenation and spelling exceptions inside a document makes it easier to treat text consistently when you move that document to other computers. For this reason, you can merge the user dictionary into the document in Dictionary preferences. You can also control the location of exceptions from the Create Package Folder dialog box (see Package files). In contrast, storing an exception list outside the document makes it easier to use the same list of exceptions for multiple documents. Note: If the user dictionary is merged
into the exceptions list, the entire user dictionary is added to
the document, even if the words are not used, thereby increasing
the document’s file size.
Applying languages to textYou can use the Language menu in the Control panel or Character panel to apply a language to selected text. You can also specify a default language for an entire document, or for all new documents. (See Assign a language to text.) Exception word listsYou can exclude words from being considered. For example, if you want to use an alternate spelling for a common word such as “bicycle,” which you may need to spell in a different way for your company name or for a specific document, add the word to the list of excluded words so that it will be flagged during a spell check. InDesign can maintain a separate set of added and removed words for each installed language. Create or add user dictionariesYou can create a user dictionary, or you can add user dictionaries from previous InDesign or InCopy versions, from files that others have sent you, or from a server where your workgroup’s user dictionary is stored. The dictionary you add is used for all your InDesign documents.
Note: If you can’t find the dictionary file, you might want
to use your system Find command to locate the .udc files (try using
*.udc), note the location, and then try again.
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. Set the default language dictionary for the current documentYou can change the default language dictionary for a document or for all new documents you create. Changing the default dictionary in an existing document doesn’t affect text that has already been created or text that you type into an existing text frame. ![]()
Set the default language dictionary for all new documents
Remove, relink, and reorder user dictionaries
Add words to dictionariesIf, during a spell check, InDesign displays an unfamiliar word in the Check Spelling dialog box, select the dictionary from the Add To menu, and then click Add. You can also use the Dictionary dialog box to let you specify the target dictionary and language, and to indicate how words are added to an exception word list.
Note: Remember that hyphenation points interact with the
hyphenation settings in your documents. As a result, the word might
not break where you expect it to. Control these settings by choosing
Hyphenation in the Paragraph panel menu. (See Hyphenate text.)
Remove or edit words in dictionaries
Export a word listYou 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. Import a word list
Change dictionary preferencesUse Dictionary preferences to specify how InDesign handles hyphenation and spelling dictionaries. Most languages in InDesign use Proximity dictionaries to verify spelling and to hyphenate words. If you have installed hyphenation or spelling components from a different company, you can select a different vendor for each installed language. Note: The Dictionary
Preferences dialog box does not enable you to specify the language
dictionary used for spell checking or hyphenating text. This dialog
box is used to specify which hyphenation and spelling plug‑ins InDesign uses for the language specified
in the Language field. If you use only the default hyphenation and
spelling plug‑in, you don't need to change any settings in the Dictionary
Preferences dialog box. If you install a different spelling or hyphenation
plug‑in provided by a third-party developer, it appears as an option
in the Hyphenation Vendor and Spelling Vendor menus in this dialog
box. This would let you select one vendor's hyphenation or spelling
engine for some languages and another vendor's hyphenation or spelling
engine for other languages.
Using dictionaries in a workgroupMake sure that each station in your workgroup has the same customized user dictionaries installed and added, so that a document uses the same spelling and hyphenation rules regardless of who is working on it. You can either make sure that everyone adds the same dictionaries to their computer, or you can share a user dictionary over the network server. A lock icon Make sure that everyone in the workgroup uses the customized user dictionary installed on the common network workstation, and not the dictionary stored with a document. However, before you take a document to a service provider, you might want to merge the user dictionary into the document. (See Change dictionary preferences.) If you don’t share a customized user dictionary on a common network workstation, locate user dictionary files and copy them from one workstation to another. The location of user dictionaries appear in the Dictionary preferences. ![]() |