Select Edit > Preferences > Dictionary (Windows) or InDesign > Preferences > Dictionary (macOS).
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn how to select German spelling variants in Adobe InDesign to control which word forms are accepted or flagged as errors.
The German language permits multiple valid spellings for many words. The InDesign-integrated Duden dictionary provides four spell-check styles to control which variants are accepted.
Configure the Duden spell-check style
Select your target German language from the Language drop-down menu.
Verify that Duden appears in the Spelling drop-down menu.
Select your preferred spelling standard from the Spelling style options:
- Duden: Accepts only the spelling recommended by Duden. All variants are flagged as errors.
- Duden: Conservative: Accepts only traditional spellings, such as Delphin instead of Delfin, and Graphik instead of Grafik.
- Duden: Press Agencies: Follows Duden recommendations using spelling rules agreed upon by major press agencies and publishers.
- Duden: Tolerant: Accepts all valid spelling variants, such as both Graphik and Grafik, or Delphin and Delfin.
Select OK.
Duden spell-check examples
|
Style |
Example 1 |
Example 2 |
Example 3 |
|
Duden |
Geograf is correct, Geograph is incorrect |
Joghurt is correct, Jogurt is incorrect |
Fotosynthese is correct, Photosynthese is incorrect |
|
Duden: Conservative |
Geograph is correct, Geograf is incorrect |
Joghurt is correct, Jogurt is incorrect |
Photosynthese is correct, Fotosynthese is incorrect |
|
Duden: Press Agencies |
Geograf is correct, Geograph is incorrect |
Joghurt is correct, Jogurt is incorrect |
Photosynthese is correct, Fotosynthese is incorrect |
|
Duden: Tolerant |
Both are correct |
Both are correct |
Both are correct |
Note
When automating document workflows with JavaScript or ExtendScript, reference the Duden spell-check styles using their German names: Duden, Duden: Konservativ, Duden: Presse, Duden: Tolerant.
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