How to Use the Personal Dictionary to Stop Google Docs from Spellchecking Specific Words

When you are writing a technical manual or a sci-fi novel in Google Docs, you will frequently use highly specific jargon, acronyms, or character names (e.g., Syslogd, Gondor, or Kubernetes). Because these words do not exist in the standard English dictionary, the Google Docs spellchecker will aggressively highlight every single one of them with a massive, jagged red underline. If your document has 500 red lines, it is impossible to spot your actual spelling mistakes. To fix this, you must permanently add these terms to your Personal Dictionary.

How the Personal Dictionary Works

The Google Docs spellchecker engine references a master server database of recognized words. However, your Google account also contains a hidden, private text file called the “Personal Dictionary.” When you add a word to this private list, the engine is forced to recognize it as grammatically correct. Most importantly, this dictionary is tied to your Google Account, meaning the word will be recognized as correct across every single document you ever create in the future.

How to Add Words to the Dictionary

There are two ways to add a word: on the fly, or via bulk upload.

Method 1: On the Fly (While Typing)

1. When you type a custom word and the jagged red underline appears, right-click directly on the word.
2. A small menu will appear. Ignore the suggested spelling corrections at the top.
3. Click on the option labeled Add “[Word]” to dictionary.

The red underline will instantly vanish, and the engine will never flag that specific capitalization and spelling combination again.

Method 2: Bulk Management
If you want to add 20 character names before you even start writing, you can edit the dictionary file directly.

1. In the top menu bar, click on Tools.
2. Hover over Spelling and grammar.
3. Click on Personal dictionary.

A new dialogue box will open displaying every word you have ever added. You can type a new word in the “Add a new word” text box and click the Add button, or click the trash can icon next to a word to remove it if you added it by mistake.