"Error occurred while checking spelling" error message when you use the spelling checker on a mail message in Outlook 2000 (241485)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2000
This article was previously published under Q241485

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to use the spelling checker on a mail message, you receive the following error message:
Error occurred while checking spelling.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur under several circumstances.
  • The Microsoft Office shared Proofing Tools are not installed.
  • The spell checking features are not configured properly.
  • The insertion point is not inside the body of the message when you perform the spell check.

RESOLUTION

Use the following steps to resolve this behavior:
  1. First, verify the proper configuration for the spelling checker. On the Outlook Tools menu, click Options. On the Spelling tab, make sure "Always suggest replacements for misspelled words" and "Always check spelling before sending" are checked.
  2. If General Options are not available on the Spelling tab, quit Outlook. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  3. Double-click Add/Remove Programs. Click to select Microsoft Office 2000 or Microsoft Outlook 2000, and then click Add/Remove.
  4. Navigate to the Office Tools tree, and then to the Proofing Tools, and finally the Spelling Checker. Make sure it is set to Run from My Computer. If it is already set that way, click to select the Spelling Checker, and then click Update Now to reinstall this option.
  5. When the installation process is complete, restart the computer. Start Outlook and in a new e-mail message type a misspelled word. Then, try to send the message to determine if the spell checker works.

MORE INFORMATION

The Office proofing tools are shared among all programs. If you install Office 2000 and do not install the proofing tools, the spelling checker is not available to Outlook and the error mentioned in the "Symptoms" section of this article occurs.

To Install the Proofing Tools

If you are using the stand-alone Outlook 2000 compact disc rather than Microsoft Office 2000, all steps are identical with the exception that you choose Microsoft Outlook 2000 in step 3.
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  3. Click Microsoft Office 2000 and then click Add/Remove.
  4. In Maintenance Mode, click Add or Remove Features.
  5. In Update Features, click the plus sign (+) at Office Tools. Click the Proofing Tools list, and click Run From My Computer. Click Update Now.

Selecting a Custom Dictionary

The referenced error may also occur if no Custom Dictionary is defined. To select a custom dictionary follow these steps:
  1. In Microsoft Word, click Tools and then click Options.
  2. Click the Spelling and Grammar tab and then click Dictionaries.
  3. Ensure that a check is place next to the file Custom.dic. Click OK, OK, and then OK again.
  4. If no custom dictionary is defined, click Add and in Add Custom Dictionary, type a name for the new dictionary in the File name box, and then click OK. Proceed with step 3 to apply the new custom dictionary.
Create a new mail message and attempt to use the spelling checker.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/13/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB241485
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