Hi,I have 2 problems with user dictionaries.I have words in user dictionary but after transfering to another computer it seems user dictionary doesn't transfer.After packaging it seems user dictionary doesn't transfer with the file to the vendor. I am using indesign cs6Is the best way to add dictionary for each file into Edet> Preferences> Dictionary> and add it under selected language? I am working with several files with difference languages and dictionaries. How can we simplify the working process by not uploading dictionary for each file?Thank you

D

dtp_1544

Participating Frequently

Question

User dictionary doesn't transfer with the file to external computer

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
April 22, 2025
4 replies
1792 views

Hi,

I have 2 problems with user dictionaries.

I have words in user dictionary but after transfering to another computer it seems user dictionary doesn't transfer.
After packaging it seems user dictionary doesn't transfer with the file to the vendor. I am using indesign cs6

Is the best way to add dictionary for each file into Edet> Preferences> Dictionary> and add it under selected language?

I am working with several files with difference languages and dictionaries. How can we simplify the working process by not uploading dictionary for each file?

Thank you

Mike Witherell

Community Expert

So, moving a document to another computer means another instance of InDesign. That computer and that InDesign app would also have to take the time to go to Preferences > Dictionary > Add User Dictionary, and connect to the same shared dictionary (if you are indeed using a custom-named dictionary). At that point, it is an application thing; not a document thing. Be sure to drag it to the top of the heap, to make sure it gets consulted first.

Next, go to Edit > Spelling > and target your custom-named dictionary.

Mike Witherell

Community Expert

A custom-named dictionary can be a thing you made. It exists as a separate file named with a .udc extension and words that exist as a .txt file can be imported into it. If you have made one, it is a file that can be parked anywhere in a folder. Do you remember where that is?

User Dictionary: Dictionary added and removed words can also live in your computer as a sort of default custom dictionary, even though you did not make a custom-named dictionary. It lives here:

macOS: Users/UserName/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Linguistics/UserDictionaries/Adobe Custom Dictionary/en_US/added.txt and exceptions.txt
Windows: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\LocalLow\Adobe\Linguistics\UserDictionaries\Adobe Custom Dictionary\en_US\added.txt and exceptions.txt

Dictionary Words can also be embedded only in your current InDesign file. But I'm a little fuzzy on the implication of that. Apparently it is related to that preference checkbox "Merge User Dictionary into Document" that David pointed to, above.

Mike Witherell

D

dtp_1544Author

Participating Frequently

Thank you for the answer, how do you convert .txt format to .udc?
I am also not sure what is difference between this methond with merge dictionary into document.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

I usually create a .udc file under preferences and then use the Add to Dictionary option.

BTW, you can put a user dictionary on a server. Everyone would need to add it to their user dictionary preferences. Remember that the first person that loads the dictionary is the owner--everyone else can only read it.

Also, don't forget to mark your hypenation using 1-3 tildes (~). I always say that if InDesign doesn't know how to spell a word, it probably doesn't know how to hyphenate it.

The Merge Dictionary perference will add your user dictionary/dictionaries into your InDesign files. This can be set globally for new documents, existing documents will need it turned on per document. Granted, this will increase the InDesign file size slightly, but they are only text files.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

I always turn on this preference:

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

Robert at ID-Tasker

Legend

Dictionary is "global" - not file related.

But you can Export and Import:

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