OL98: Spell Checker Adds Extra Period to Abbreviations (190806)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 98
This article was previously published under Q190806

SYMPTOMS

While performing a spell check on an HTML mail message using Microsoft Outlook 98 you notice that certain abbreviations that end with a period have an additional period appended.

CAUSE

This behavior is a result of using the 32-bit dictionary from one of the following products:

  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Office 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95
This behavior does not occur in Microsoft Outlook Rich Text, Microsoft Word or Plain Text editor modes.

RESOLUTION

To avoid this behavior, click either Ignore or Ignore All when the spell checker flags these abbreviations.

As a workaround, add commonly used abbreviations to the custom dictionary.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Outlook 98.

MORE INFORMATION

When performing a spell check on a mail message, abbreviations such as, "Mr.", "Mrs." and "Ms." will be flagged as misspelled words. If you change the spelling, the spell checker will add an additional period after the abbreviation. An additional period will be added each time the spell checker is run.

The following table illustrates the result of the spell check of abbreviations: 
 Abbreviation      Spell Checker Flagged Word           Result of Change
 ------------      --------------------------           ----------------
   Mr.                       Mr                               Mr..
   Mrs.                      Mrs                              Mrs..
   Ms.                       Ms                               Ms.
NOTE: The spell checker flags the letters before the period as a misspelled word. The existing period is ignored. State abbreviations such as N.Y.,Wash. and D.C. are not flagged.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/27/2000
Keywords:kbbug KB190806
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