How to add new entries to the Dictionary (so New Outlook ignores them!) in New Outlook (desktop app) on Windows 10...?

Question

This is driving me insane...!

Every time I use a word that New Outlook doesn't recognise - e.g. a place name - in an email, New Outlook underlines it with a squiggly red line and if I hover over the word it is highlighted in a pinkish colour! A pop-up appears saying 'Spelling correction - Open with left-click (Alt + Down Arrow)' but the only option is either incorrect suggestions or 'Ignore all' (A 'No Entry' symbol). There is no 'Add to Dictionary' option!!!

I found this article https://traccreations4e.com/custom-dictionary-new-outlook/ but it doesn't seem to work!

Is there a way to add words to New Outlook, or not? TIA

Answer 1

Microsoft added “Personal dictionary” to New Outlook’s Editor settings, but Microsoft’s own release notes say these features are rolled out gradually. This explains why some accounts/builds have the option while others do not: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/release-notes-outlook-new

Since your New Outlook identifies “Rownhams” as a spelling error but provides neither “Add to dictionary” nor “Personal dictionary”, there is unfortunately no reliable setting you can change locally.

The simplest workaround is to use classic Outlook and add the word there, or ignore the underline until Microsoft enables/fixes Personal Dictionary for your New Outlook account.

Microsoft’s dictionary instructions: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/word/add-or-edit-words-in-a-spell-check-dictionary

I would also send this through Help > Feedback in New Outlook, because your screenshots clearly demonstrate the missing feature.

Answer 2

Thank you — this rules out a language-setting problem. English (UK) being the only listed language is fine, and this is not a “Business versus Family” feature: adding spelling words is not restricted to business subscriptions.

Because other misspelled words show the three dots, but this particular word does not—even in a blank message and under Spelling—this appears to be a Microsoft Editor bug involving that specific word, rather than an Outlook setting.

Please test the same word at https://outlook.live.com/. If the three dots are also missing there, it is likely an account/service-side Editor issue. If they appear on the web, repair New Outlook through Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Outlook (new) > Advanced options > Repair.

As a workaround, type the exact word in Microsoft Word while signed into the same Microsoft account, right-click it and select Add to Dictionary, then restart New Outlook. Microsoft states that words added to a custom dictionary can be used by other Office programs: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/word/add-or-edit-words-in-a-spell-check-dictionary

If it still remains underlined, please report it through New Outlook > Help > Feedback, including the exact word, a screenshot and the Outlook version. The fact that Android Outlook does not flag it makes a Windows Editor issue more likely.

Answer 3

@DJBlake-1561 said

the only option is either incorrect suggestions or 'Ignore all' ... There is no 'Add to Dictionary' option

As best as I can determine (see Comments) - A Custom Dictionary is only supported in New Outlook for Windows and Outlook Web if you are using a MS 365 Business/Education Account (not an outlook.com address). The option is not there for a Personal/Family Account (outlook.com address).

Using my MS 365 Business Standard account

Using my Personal account

@Teresa Cyrus mentions this in the article you referenced.
https://traccreations4e.com/custom-dictionary-new-outlook/

Note: Outlook.com (free version) does not support Classic or New Outlook dictionary files. It uses Microsoft Editor and browser-level spell check instead.

Answer 4

That is a useful clue. New Outlook is probably not treating that particular item as a normal spelling error. “Add to dictionary” is available only for spelling errors, not grammar, style or contextual suggestions.

Try typing the place name by itself in a blank email, without punctuation, hyphens or apostrophes. If the three dots then appear, add the individual word rather than the complete name or phrase.

Also open Editor and check which category contains it. If it appears under Grammar or Refinements, it cannot be added to the dictionary; select “Don’t check for this issue” instead.

Finally, check the proofing language under (…) > Editor > Editor Settings > Manage spellcheck languages, as using the wrong language can cause inconsistent suggestions: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/mail/how-to-spell-check-before-sending-emails-in-outlook

Answer 5

Hello,

New Outlook does support this, but the option is hidden.

Left-click the red-underlined word, then select the three dots (…) in the correction pop-up and choose Add to dictionary. Do not only hover over or right-click the word.

Microsoft’s instructions are here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/word/add-or-edit-words-in-a-spell-check-dictionary

If Add to dictionary is still missing, update New Outlook from Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates, restart it, and test again at https://outlook.live.com/.

If it is missing in both places, the feature is not working correctly for your current account/build. Editing RoamingCustom.dic is not a reliable fix. Please report it through Help > Feedback in New Outlook. Until it is corrected, the reliable alternative is classic Outlook, which provides right-click > Add to Dictionary.