You can do it, but you won't 100% perfect results. The .dic file is loaded
when you first open Word. During the current session, anything you add is
automatically stuffed into memory, so that such words are in your personal
"ok" list. And words that I add, are also stuffed into my personal "ok"
list.
But, your "ok" list won't show up on my Word session until the next time I
close Word and re-open it. Similarly, my "ok" list won't show up on your
Word session until the next time you close Word and re-open it.
When you click Add to Dictionary, it is added instantly. So, unless two
people happen to do it at the exact same time, there shouldn't be any
sharing conflicts. You also don't have to worry about changes getting lost,
since it's not like a regular Word document when one person's changes can
wipe out someone else's if they're saving over the same master copy without
some kind of file coordination system supervising the changes. It's like a
dart board that's sittting in a central area. Each person's dart gets to the
dart board. The only problem would be if two people try to throw darts at
the exact same moment, in which case there would be a momentary sharing
violation for one of the two (I would think... but I can't be sure since I
can't seem to get things to happen at the exact same moment).
At worst, if you & I add the same word, it can show up twice in the .dic
file. No big deal. But, just so you know.
Otherwise, it can work fine. I keep my default .dic file on my desktop
computer's public folder so that if I add words while writing on my laptop,
they get added to my main .dic file. That way, I accomplish the aim you
seek.
First, copy the most complete .dic file you have to a shared location. I
named mine shared.dic to prevent confusion. But, you're not so constrained.
Then, choose Tools - Options - Spelling and Grammar - Custom Dictionaries -
Add. Navigate to the shared location and click OK. Back in the custom
dictionaries dialog, with that dictionary selected, click Change Default.
--
Herb Tyson MS MVP
Author of the Word 2007 Bible
Blog:
http://word2007bible.herbtyson.com
Web:
http://www.herbtyson.com
"PA" wrote in message
...
We have a Department that deals with State oversite offices, and the rules
are quite stringent. They also have quite a selection of terminology that
must be employed within a "properly" formatted document. Thus we are
constantly adding words to the (custom) dictionary.
In Word 2003, how can I set up a dictionary for them that is shared so
that
all the words not found in the standard dictionary need only be added
once,
by one individual. We do have many shares available to accomplish this,
if
possible.