Using Arabic language in Word 2k and Windows XP

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Resource Centre - 08 Apr 2005 16:27 GMT

Hi,

I am trying to enable the use of Arabic script on the computers at our
open access resource centre for community groups. All the computers
have Office 2000, and some have Windows 2000, some Windows XP.

I have added Arabic as an input language in the Regional Settings
Control Panel, and ticked the box that says Install files for Complex
script and right to left languages.

In Word, I have found out how to change the text direction to
right-to-left and added buttons to the toolbar to make this easier.

But I still have some problems:

1. I can't get it to show Hindi numerals. I have found several
instances of people giving a solution to this problem which involves
going to the 'right-to-left' tab in Word's Tools>Options box, but when
I go there I don't see that tab!

2. I can't seem to change the size of the Arabic text

3. I can't do a spelling and grammar check in Arabic - I gather from
other discussions on this list that I will need to buy another CD to
be able to do this, is that true?

Can anyone advise me, please?

Thanks for your help,

Dani

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Herb Martin - 09 Apr 2005 11:10 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> In Word, I have found out how to change the text direction to
> right-to-left and added buttons to the toolbar to make this easier.

Generally, one doesn't change this way -- one changes
by choosing a different Locale (language/keyboard) for
a portion of text.

Easiest is to have HotKeys if you are the only user, or
perhaps display the Language Icon (next to Tool Tray)
or the language bar - these are settings in the Regional
Control Panel.

> But I still have some problems:
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> 2. I can't seem to change the size of the Arabic text

Generally, this changes like any other if you have the
fonts loaded (regional control panel).

What happens if you do change the font setting?

> 3. I can't do a spelling and grammar check in Arabic - I gather from
> other discussions on this list that I will need to buy another CD to
> be able to do this, is that true?

The Arabic proofing tools is NOT in the English versions.

> Can anyone advise me, please?
>
> Thanks for your help,
>
> Dani

Reply to this Message

Resource Centre - 11 Apr 2005 09:54 GMT

> Generally, one doesn't change this way -- one changes
> by choosing a different Locale (language/keyboard) for
> a portion of text.

Yes, sorry not to be clear, I am doing that as well. Switching to
right-to-left moves the text over to the right hand side of the page
and the cursor to the left hand end of each line, which seems
sensible, but it doesn't affect the order of the text. This is
right-to-left as soon as I switch to the Arabic language in the
language bar.

> > 2. I can't seem to change the size of the Arabic text
>
> Generally, this changes like any other if you have the
> fonts loaded (regional control panel).

Can you tell me in more detail what you mean? I think I have done
everything I can in the regional control panel, but maybe I have
missed something.

> What happens if you do change the font setting?

Nothing - there is no change in the appearance of the text. The font
name is Times New Roman, and this doesn't change either, even when I
choose a different font from the list.

Thanks for your help. Do you have any ideas about the numerals
problem too?

By the way, the instructions I have been following are at
http://www.uga.edu/islam/arabic_windows.html

Thanks again,

Dani

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