> ## Documentation Index
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# OpenExistingDictionary Method of the LanguageDatabase Object

This method opens an existing user dictionary for editing. It returns the interface pointer to the [Dictionary](/fine-reader/engine/api-reference/language-related-objects/dictionary) object associated with the dictionary.

The OpenExistingDictionary method can open dictionaries created with the help of the [ILanguageDatabase::CreateNewDictionary](/fine-reader/engine/api-reference/language-related-objects/languagedatabase/createnewdictionary-method) method.

## Syntax

### C++

```cpp theme={null}
HRESULT OpenExistingDictionary(
  BSTR           FileName,
  LanguageIdEnum LanguageId,
  IDictionary**  Result
);
```

### C\#

```csharp theme={null}
IDictionary OpenExistingDictionary(
  string         FileName,
  LanguageIdEnum LanguageId
);
```

### Visual Basic .NET

```vb theme={null}
Function OpenExistingDictionary( _
  FileName As String, _
  LanguageId As LanguageIdEnum, _
) As IDictionary
```

## Parameters

FileName

\[in] Contains the full path to the dictionary file. If the specified dictionary file does not exist, an error is returned.

LanguageId

\[in] A variable of [LanguageIdEnum](/fine-reader/engine/api-reference/enumerations/languageidenum) type that defines the language for the dictionary.

Result

\[out, retval] A pointer to IDictionary\* pointer variable that receives the interface pointer to the [Dictionary](/fine-reader/engine/api-reference/language-related-objects/dictionary) object associated with the dictionary. You may then edit this dictionary via this object's methods.

## Return values

This method has no specific return values. It returns the [standard return values of ABBYY FineReader Engine functions](/fine-reader/engine/api-reference/return-codes).

## See also

[Working with Dictionaries](/fine-reader/engine/guided-tour/advanced-techniques/working-with-dictionaries)

[LanguageDatabase](/fine-reader/engine/api-reference/language-related-objects/languagedatabase)

[CreateNewDictionary](/fine-reader/engine/api-reference/language-related-objects/languagedatabase/createnewdictionary-method)

[Dictionary](/fine-reader/engine/api-reference/language-related-objects/dictionary)