How do I cause Word to locate and use spell check in older files?

[Cornucopia of]

Spell check works fine in new file but word can not find or use spell check
in older files to which I need to add data.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

In the older file, press Ctrl+A to select the entire document, then go to
Tools | Language | Set Language and make sure that the correct language is
selected and that "Do not check spelling or grammar" is not checked. Also,
in pre-Word 97 files, you may find that "Hide spelling errors in this
document" is checked on the Spelling & Grammar tab of Tools | Options.

 

[Cornucopia of]

Thank you Susan for your help. However, after following your directions I
asked for the document to be spell checked a little box came up saying it
could not find spell check or grammer check. I purchased my new Dell XP (with
Word software installed) in '03 so my files are no older than that but for
some reason it can not find spell check in existing documents. It works fine
in all new documents I create. Thanks for your kindness.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

If the spelling checker is working in new documents, then there's no
question the proofing tools are installed. I can't imagine why they would be
missing just for older files, but you might want to post your question in
the microsoft.public.word.spelling.grammar newsgroup.