# System Dictionary

> Add words to the system dictionary so the spell checker stops flagging them, export the dictionary, and copy a legacy user dictionary.

URL: https://www.hannonhill.com/cascadecms/latest/articles/cascade-administration/system-dictionary.html
category: Cascade Administration
article-type: reference
content-kind: article
release-availability: all
updated: 2026-10-06

## Overview

The system dictionary is a centrally-managed collection of words that is used when performing spelling [content checks](https://www.hannonhill.com/cascadecms/latest/articles/content-authoring/content-checks.html) or when using the spellcheck feature in the WYSIWYG.

You can access the system dictionary by clicking the system menu button ( ) > **Administration** > **System Dictionary**.

There are two types of system dictionary words:

- **Custom** - Words that have been manually added to the dictionary; these words are editable.
- **Internal** - A pre-populated collection of common words in English; these words are not editable.

## Adding words

To add words to the dictionary from the System Dictionary screen:

- Click the system menu button ( ) > **Administration** > **System Dictionary**.
- Click **Add**.
- Enter one or more words in the text area, separating each word with a new line. Words with spaces between them will be separated into multiple words on submit.
- Alternately, drag and drop a newline-separated, plain-text file containing your words into the text area.
- Click **Submit**.

To add words to the dictionary during a spelling content check:

- Ensure the spelling [content check](https://www.hannonhill.com/cascadecms/latest/articles/content-authoring/content-checks.html) is enabled for your site.
- After editing an asset, click **Check Content & Submit**.
- Click **Add** next to one or more flagged words.
- Click submit (  ).

To add words to the dictionary in the WYSIWYG:

- In the WYSIWYG, click **Tools** > **Spellcheck**.
- Misspelled words will be underlined in red.
- Click the flagged word(s) and select **Add to Dictionary**.

> **Note**
>
> Only users with the **Modify Dictionary** ability enabled in their [System Role](https://www.hannonhill.com/cascadecms/latest/articles/cascade-administration/permissions/roles.html) can add words to the system dictionary.

## Exporting the dictionary

To export the dictionary (for example, to import into another instance of Cascade CMS):

1. Click the system menu button ( ) > **Administration** > **System Dictionary**.
1. Click **More** > **Export**.
1. A newline-separated, plain-text file containing your custom dictionary words will be downloaded.

## Copying a user dictionary (legacy)

In previous versions of Cascade CMS, users could add words only to their own private dictionary. The system dictionary is now centrally-managed so all users are presented with the same set of words during spell checks. To avoid manually re-entering custom words in the system dictionary, you may wish to import words from one or more users' legacy dictionaries.

To copy words from a user's dictionary:

1. Click the system menu button ( ) > **Administration** > **System Dictionary**.
1. Click **More** > **Copy Words From User**.
1. Unique words (those not already in the system dictionary) from the user's legacy dictionary will be appended to the system dictionary.