Question

Thesaurus, Translate function is dead in Outlook 2007

Asked by: trueluck3

For some reason, when I create a new mail message (or while reading an incoming message) in Outlook 2007 and I want to use the thesaurus on a word, it will give me a list of suggestions (if there are any) and allow me to change the word.  However, when I don't see what I want in the list, there is nothing in the list or I'd just like a definition and click the "Thesaurus..." option, it no longer opens the right hand thesaurus pane (the dock that opens on the right when you normally choose that option).  The menu simply accepts the mouse click and goes away (item is not "grayed out").  The same is true when using the translate option.  These functions both work in word, PowerPoint and other office apps.  I did a repair on the Office installation, and the problem is still there.  I'll try to give you some screenshots for a look.

 -- Mike H.

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Asked On
2009-01-12 at 11:39:30ID24045226
Tags

Outlook 2007

,

Office 2007

,

Thesaurus

,

Microsoft

Topics

Microsoft Office Suite

,

Microsoft Word

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Answers

 

by: HighTechGeekPosted on 2009-01-12 at 12:43:17ID: 23357160

My synonym list is grayed out too when reading an incoming email.

You cannot edit the body of an email that you have received. You can change the Subject, but if you want to edit the body, you must either copy and paste the message into a new email or forward it. Then the synonym list is not grayed out.

 

by: HighTechGeekPosted on 2009-01-12 at 12:45:22ID: 23357182

Also, if you MUST edit a received email, on the ribbon, click "Other Actions" and choose "Edit Message". Then you can edit the original email body...

 

by: trueluck3Posted on 2009-01-12 at 14:10:30ID: 23357991

Yeah, but even when reading from an incoming email, the right hand thesaurus dock should display itself when you click the thesaurus button (shown in the attached pic), offering you a chance to view info from additional research and reference sites.

 

by: HighTechGeekPosted on 2009-01-12 at 14:17:55ID: 23358062

Oh, I think i see...

so when you click Thesaurus or Translate, the Research pane does not appear, right?

 

by: HighTechGeekPosted on 2009-01-12 at 14:42:54ID: 23358289

Check the following in Outlook:

Go to Tools/Trust Center
Then click "Privacy Options" on the left
At the bottom there are 2 buttons - one for "Translation Options" and one for "Research Options".

In my Translation Options, every box is checked.
In my Research Options, there are a couple of boxes checked under each heading...

 

by: HighTechGeekPosted on 2009-01-12 at 14:45:45ID: 23358319

Also, the Research pane can be unattached from the email window.

Could it have been dragged off screen?

 

by: trueluck3Posted on 2009-01-13 at 15:46:10ID: 23368678

Still no go...although that was a section I had not yet looked in.  I went ahead and reset all menus (everything) to no resolve.  Still works in all my other office apps, just not Outlook.  Even when I click "Look Up..." from the editor context menu I get no action...How am I supposed to look smart with fancy words in my emails!  :-)

Thanks for all the help so far guys...any other ideas would be appreciated.

  -- Mike H.

 

by: HighTechGeekPosted on 2009-01-13 at 20:42:49ID: 23370049

Try these other ways to open the Research task pane in Outlook:

1. Open an existing email.
   Hold down the "ALT" key
   While holding down "ALT", click on a word in the email.

2. Create a new email.
   Click on "Spelling" at the far right of the ribbon.
   Choose "Research" or "Thesaurus" from the drop down list.

Do these work?

 

by: HighTechGeekPosted on 2009-01-13 at 20:53:32ID: 23370086

Make sure "Proofing Tools" is installed:

Go to Office Setup (Office Shared Features > Proofing Tools) to see if it's installed.

If "Proofing Tools" is already installed, try uninstalling and then re-installing just that feature.

 

by: trueluck3Posted on 2009-11-20 at 21:34:26ID: 25876636

I never did get it working.  I've now since got a new machine with Windows 7.  Still office 2007 but Outlook is correctly displaying the thesaurus and the right hand pane, with research options.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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