Ubuntu – LibreOffice Spell Checker doesn’t work

libreoffice

I was a little surprised to discover that in LibreOffice (3.5.4.2), the spell check doesn't actually work. I was surprised since spell checkers have been around since….80's? Not a difficult thing.

I am running Ubuntu 12.04, on a relatively new install. I haven't done anything to my dictionaries or language files.

Under tools>options>languages> writing aids, I have the option selected to check as I type and to use the English dictionaries.

However, I get no errors when I type spelling mistakes on purpose, and when I run the checker it just says the spell check has completed and closes the window.

Is this a bug with Libre? or have I done something wrong?

Best Answer

A quick fix for the current document (assuming English text) is Tools - Language - For All Text - English (USA).

I think the permanent fix is to make sure that the default language used for documents is supported by an installed dictionary. This solution has been documented by "idiota" on LibreOffice's questions forum:

"The problem is fixed by clicking Tools/Options/Language Settings/Languages. It allows dozens of flavours of English, BUT spelling is disabled for all the ones that don't have the little blue tick ABC icon beside them."

http://ask.libreoffice.org/question/1678/spell-checking-not-working-in-v342/

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