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To create a custom data type, open the data type creation wizard and choose how to build the type.

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Open the data type creation wizard

1

Select a base item

In the Data type list on the Data tab, select the item that best matches your custom data type. This does not change the nature of the type; it only stores it in that category.
2

Open the details

Click Edit to the right of the Details field.
3

Select Special

In the Content settings field, select Special.
4

Start a new type

Click New to the right of the Data types for selected language field, and then follow the wizard.
In the first window of the wizard, select how to create the data type: from a dictionary, a regular expression, an alphabet, or an existing data type (for example, by adding characters to its alphabet or expanding its dictionary).

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Create a data type from a dictionary, regular expression, or alphabet

1

Select the basis

Select New data type based on, choose a dictionary, a regular expression, or an alphabet, select the Language (locale), and click Next.
2

Configure a dictionary

If you chose a dictionary, select the dictionary type, and then click Next:
  • Use built-in dictionary uses the built-in dictionary for the selected language. To check whether it contains a word, click View and type the word.
  • Use custom dictionaries uses a custom dictionary. Click Edit to add words one by one (Add) or load them from a file (click Load and specify a .txt or .dic file).
3

Configure a regular expression

If you chose a regular expression, enter it in the wizard. Use the builder button to the right of the field to construct it. For more information, see Alphabet used in regular expressions. Click Next.
4

Configure an alphabet

If you chose an alphabet, or used characters not in the language’s alphabet, specify the alphabet for your data type. Type the characters directly or click Customize and select them with the mouse. To add punctuation and prohibited characters, click Advanced Parameters. Click Next.
5

Name the data type

Type a name and a short description. To edit the new type’s properties, select Edit properties. Click Finish.
A DIC file is a Microsoft Office custom dictionary: a plain text file with a list of words, one word per line.
For a custom dictionary that uses confidence values, create a .txt file in this format:

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Create a data type from an existing type

1

Select the base

In the first window of the wizard, select Data type based on existing types, choose the languages, and click Next.
2

Select the source types

Select the source data types for your new type. The available types are listed in the left pane:
  • The Text folder contains the natural languages selected in the first window.
  • The Custom folder contains user-created data types.
  • The other folders contain data types for specific categories and content types.
Select a type in the left pane (hold Ctrl to select several), click Add -> to move it to the right pane, and click Next.
3

Name the data type

Type a name and a short description. To edit the new type’s properties, select Edit properties. Click Finish.
If a new data type is based on several types, the field is checked for compliance with at least one of them.
The new data type appears in the list of predefined data types when you select the content it was created for.

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Apply a custom data type to a field

1

Select the data type item

On the Data tab of the field properties dialog box, select the item in the Data type list.
2

Open the details

Click Edit to the right of the Details field.
3

Select Special

In the Content settings list, select Special.
4

Select your data type

Select the data type you created (custom types are marked with a special symbol) and click OK.