Add Word to the Dictionary - New Outlook Win 11

Dear @Ilene Jamison,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.

Based on your description, you cannot find out how to add a word to the dictionary in New Outlook. the new Outlook for Windows (a.k.a. “New Outlook”) changed where spell‑check lives and removed a few classic UI bits (like the Ruler). I'm sorry for the inconvenience you're experiencing. Here are some suggestions you can try:

New Outlook uses Microsoft Editor and the Office custom dictionary. You can add words in two ways:

A) Add directly while composing

1. In a new message, right‑click the underlined word.
2. Choose Add to dictionary. If you don’t see this option, make sure a default custom dictionary is selected

B) Add through Outlook’s proofing settings

1. Open Settings (gear icon) > Mail > Compose and reply.
2. Scroll to Microsoft Editor and open Editor settings.
3. Go to Proofing > Custom Dictionaries.
4. Select your default dictionary (e.g., Custom.dic) and click Edit Word List.
5. Type the word (one per line) and click Add, then OK. Tip: Clear “Suggest from main dictionary only” so Editor consults your custom dictionary If Editor’s spellcheck or the Editor button looks disabled, turn on New Outlook’s Connected experiences (Privacy settings) so Editor can function: View tab > View settings > General > Privacy and Data > Privacy settings > enable both “experiences that analyze your content” and “download online content.”

Besides that, here is workaround in case you need:

Alternate: Use Windows 11’s personal dictionary (system‑wide)

Some red underlines in New Outlook come from Windows’ typing dictionary. You can add words there so they’re recognized across apps:

• Settings > Privacy & security > Inking & typing personalization > Personal dictionary — add your words.
• Or edit the file directly: %AppData%\Microsoft\Spelling\<language>\default.dic (one word per line; case‑sensitive).

For more information, you can refer to this link Add or edit words in a spell check dictionary

I hope information above helpful, if you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment" 

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread. 

Edited 2025-12-01

Add To Dictionary

See the write-up on the New Outlook Custom Dictionary by @Teresa Cyrus at https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/outlookgeneral/how-to-update-new-outlooks-custom-dictionary/4472517

View Ruler

You are correct. There is no ability to view an on-screen ruler in New Outlook.

Hornblower 409-4652 is absolutely correct ... there is no Add to Dictionary option. Which absolutely ridiculous!!

I cannot believe Microsoft removed this very important action with what is supposed to be an update!

Microsoft - you can do better!

Edited 2025-12-01 Content removed by author as it was out-of-date

I correctly said that you could use Word to add a dictionary... what I didn't know was that Word and Outlook no longer "talk" to each other. So no dictionary for Outlook. Frustrating all around!