OFF97: Error Message When You Try to Check Spelling, or Misspellings Are Not Corrected (185906)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Access 97
This article was previously published under Q185906

SYMPTOMS

When you try to check your spelling in one of the Microsoft Office 97 programs listed above, the following error messages or problems may occur.

Microsoft Word 97

When the "Check spelling as you type" option is selected in the Options dialog box, words that are misspelled are not marked with a red underline. Or when you check the spelling of a document or selection, you receive the following message:
The spelling check is complete.
This message appears even though the misspelled words have not been corrected.

Microsoft PowerPoint 97

When the "Check spelling as you type" option is selected in the Options dialog box, words that are misspelled are not marked with a red underline. Or when you check the spelling of the slide or selection, you receive the following error message:
PowerPoint can't load the main spelling dictionary. You should run Setup and reinstall.
Then the following message appears:
The spelling check is complete.
Microsoft Excel 97

When you try to check the spelling in an Excel worksheet, you receive the following error message:
Cannot read main dictionary.
Microsoft Access 97

When you try to check the spelling in an Access file, you receive the following error message:
Microsoft Access can't open the main dictionary file, verify that this file has been installed.

CAUSE

These problems can be caused by a damaged or incorrect version of the main dictionary file, Mssp2_en.lex.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, first check the size of the Mssp2_en.lex file. The file size of Mssp2_en.lex that is included with the retail version of Office 97 should be approximately 247 kilobytes (KB). Note that this file size may change slightly based upon the sector size on your computer.

NOTE: The Setup program for Office 97 does not remove files that have incorrect file sizes or versions. Therefore, clicking Remove All does not remove the proofing tools when the file size or version is different from the standard.

If the file size of your Mssp2_en.lex is greater or less than approximately 247 KB, you must rename or delete the Mssp2_en.lex file. To do this, follow steps 1 through 10.

If the file is missing, follow steps 5 through 10.

To rename, or to delete and replace the Mssp2_en.lex file, follow these steps:

  1. Quit all Office 97 programs.
  2. In Windows 95 Explorer, open the folder in which you have installed the proofing tools. The default folder location is the following:

    C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Proof

  3. Click to select Mssp2_en.lex.
  4. Rename or delete the file.

    To rename the file, follow these steps:

    1. On the File menu, click Rename.
    2. Type a new name for the file. For example, type Mssp2_en_bad.lex.
    3. Click OK.
    To delete a file, click Delete on the File menu.
  5. Insert the Microsoft Office 97 compact disc (CD), or connect to the location in which you have installed Office 97.
  6. Locate the following folder:

    OS\MSAPPS\PROOF

  7. Click to select Mssp2_en.lex.
  8. On the File menu, click Copy.
  9. Open the folder in which you renamed or deleted the Mssp2_en.lex file, and click to select the Proof folder.
  10. On the File menu, click Paste.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/23/2003
Keywords:kbnofix kbprb kbproof KB185906
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