WD97: Run-time Error '1280' Setting Custom Dictionary

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When attempting to add a custom dictionary through Visual Basic for Applications using the WordBasic object, you receive the following error:

   Run-time error '1280': The custom dictionary "<Custom dictionary name>"
   is not available.

CAUSE

The file name of the custom dictionary is greater than 128 characters. The following converted WordBasic command demonstrates the error if the contents of the string variable, in this example, FileName$, storing the file name is greater than 128 characters in length:

    WordBasic.ToolsOptionsSpelling CustomDict1:=FName$

RESOLUTION

Rename the file so it contains no more than 128 characters (including the path).

-or-

Use Visual Basic for Applications commands instead of the WordBasic object with WordBasic commands. For example:

   CustomDictionaries.Add FileName:=FName$

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.