Office 365 Custom Dictionary Reset On Its Own.

9 min read Oct 14, 2024

Office 365 Custom Dictionary Reset On Its Own.

Frustrated with Your Office 365 Custom Dictionary Resetting on Its Own? Here's What You Need to Know!

Are you a user of Microsoft Office 365 and find yourself constantly having to re-add words to your custom dictionary? It's frustrating, isn't it? You spend time carefully adding those unique terms, acronyms, and proper nouns, only to find them vanished the next time you open Word or Outlook. This article will help you understand why this might be happening and how you can potentially resolve the issue.

Understanding the Issue

The problem of an Office 365 custom dictionary resetting itself is a common one, and unfortunately, there isn't a single, guaranteed fix. However, there are several possible culprits and potential troubleshooting steps you can take.

1. Cloud Sync and User Profiles

Office 365 relies heavily on cloud syncing for user settings and data, including your custom dictionary. This means your dictionary is stored on Microsoft's servers and can be affected by various factors. For instance, if you switch between different devices or update your Office 365 installation, the syncing process might inadvertently lead to the reset of your custom dictionary.

2. User Profile Corruption

Sometimes, your user profile within Office 365 might become corrupted, leading to a range of issues, including dictionary resets. This corruption can be caused by several things, such as:

Incomplete installation or update: If an Office update or installation didn't complete properly, it could leave your profile in an inconsistent state.
Software conflicts: Other software on your device might interfere with Office 365's functionality, leading to profile corruption.
System crashes or interruptions: Sudden shutdowns or system crashes can disrupt your profile and cause unexpected behavior.

3. Office 365 Updates and Rollbacks

Microsoft frequently releases updates for Office 365 to improve its functionality and address potential issues. These updates might occasionally cause changes to your custom dictionary, potentially resetting it to its default state. Additionally, if you're using a preview version of Office 365, you might encounter more frequent resets due to ongoing development and testing.

4. Account-Specific Issues

In rare cases, the issue might be specific to your account. While not common, a glitch with your Office 365 account settings or data storage could be responsible for the recurring dictionary reset.

Troubleshooting Steps

Let's explore some solutions to address this annoying problem:

1. Check and Update Office 365

Ensure you're running the latest version: Outdated versions of Office 365 can lead to various issues, including dictionary resets. Open any Office application and go to File > Account. Check for updates and install them if necessary.
Consider rolling back to an older version (if necessary): If a recent update seems to have caused the issue, you might try rolling back to an older version, but be aware that this can introduce other problems.

2. Clear the Office Cache and User Profile

Close all Office Applications: It's crucial to close all Office programs before proceeding.
Delete the temporary files: Navigate to the following location on your PC: %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Office and delete the folder 16.0.
Clear the User Profile: Open the Run dialog (Windows Key + R) and type %appdata%. Press Enter and then navigate to the Microsoft\Office folder. Delete the User folder inside.
Restart your computer: Once these steps are completed, restart your computer.

3. Repair Office 365 Installation

Open Control Panel: Search for "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar and open it.
Navigate to Programs and Features: Select "Programs and Features" under Programs.
Locate Office 365: Scroll through the list of installed programs until you find Microsoft Office 365.
Click "Repair": Right-click on Office 365 and choose "Repair."
Follow the instructions: Follow the on-screen instructions to repair your Office installation.

4. Reset the Office 365 Settings

Close all Office applications.
Open the Run dialog: Windows Key + R.
Type regedit and press Enter.
Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office
Delete the entire Office folder.
Restart your computer.

5. Contact Microsoft Support

If the above solutions don't work, you might have a more complex account or system-related problem. Contacting Microsoft support directly is the next step. They can help troubleshoot deeper issues and offer more tailored solutions.

Tips for Preventing Dictionary Resets

Here are some helpful practices to help you avoid encountering this issue:

Backup Your Custom Dictionary: Before making significant changes to your Office installation or updating your operating system, consider creating a backup of your custom dictionary. You can typically export it as a text file.
Avoid Using Unstable Versions: If you're a beta tester or using early preview versions of Office 365, be aware that instability and unexpected behavior are more common. Consider using a stable release version for greater reliability.
Regularly Check for Updates: Keeping your Office 365 installation up to date is crucial. Regularly check for updates and install them promptly.

Conclusion

While dealing with a constantly resetting custom dictionary in Office 365 can be frustrating, it's usually not a fatal issue. By following the troubleshooting steps and preventative tips outlined in this article, you should be able to get your custom dictionary back on track and avoid future resets. Remember, if you're struggling with more complex or persistent issues, don't hesitate to contact Microsoft support for personalized assistance.