Look up words in the dictionary

Using the Research feature, you can look up words in the dictionary.

1. Do the following in these Microsoft Office programs:

   Outlook

   • In an open message, on the Message tab, in the Proofing group, click Spelling, and then click Research.

     

     Note In Microsoft Office Outlook, the Research task pane is available from any open Outlook item, but not from the main Outlook window.

   Excel, PowerPoint, or Word

   • On the Review tab, click Research.

   Publisher, OneNote, or Visio

   • On the Tools menu, click Research, and then in the All Reference Books list, click Encarta Dictionary: English (North America).

     

2. Do one of the following:
   • To look up a single word in the document, press ALT and click the word that you want to look up.

     Note Using ALT+Click is not supported in Microsoft Office PowerPoint. Instead, type the word or phrase in the Search for box, and then click Start Searching .

   • To look up a phrase in the document, select the words that you want, press ALT and click the selection.

     Note Using ALT+Click is not supported in Microsoft Office PowerPoint. Instead, type the word or phrase in the Search for box, and then click Start Searching .

   • Type a word or phrase in the Search for box, and then click Start Searching .

   Results appear in the Research task pane.

See also:

• Check spelling and grammar
• Look up words in the thesaurus
• Translate text
• Use custom dictionaries to add words to the spelling checker