How to Change the Language in Word

This wikiHow will show you how to change the language in Word. You can easily change the editing, display, and priority languages on a Windows computer, but if you have a Mac, Android, or iOS device, you cannot set Word to a language other than what your OS uses. However, you can specify a different editing language on these devices.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Using Android and iOS

  1. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 1
    1
    Open Word. This document icon looks like two pieces of paper, one with a bunch of lines and one with a large "W." You can find this app on your Home screen, in the app drawer, or by searching.
  2. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 2
    2
    Tap the icon that looks like a pencil and an "A" at the top of your screen. This will open the editing menu.
  3. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 3
    3
    Tap Home. You'll see a list of options.
  4. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 4
    4
    Tap Review. The menu options to the right will change.[1]
  5. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 5
    5
    Tap Proofing and Language. The options in the menu will change again.
  6. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 6
    6
    Tap the right-pointing arrow
    Image titled Android7expandright.png
    next to the current language.     You'll see a list of languages.
  7. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 7
    7
    Tap the language you want for your document. You'll be redirected back to the previous menu.
    • You can tap to select boxes next to "Hide All Proofing Marks" and "Hide Proofing Marks in Selected Text" if you want your current text to remain un-edited.[2]

Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Using Windows

  1. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 8
    1
    Open a document in Word. You can open a project you're working on or you can create a new document to change these settings. But any settings you edit will apply every time you open Word. For example, if you set the language to French from a new document, the language will still be in French when you open Word later.
  2. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 9
    2
    Click File. You'll find this in the editing ribbon above the document.[3]
  3. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 10
    3
    Click Options. A new window will open.
  4. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 11
    4
    Click Language. You'll see this tab in the left pane. A new window titled, "Set the Office Language Preferences" will open.
  5. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 12
    5
    Choose an "editing language." Remember that changing the language here will also change any language-specific features including dictionaries, grammar checking, and spelling.
    • For example, if you type "casa" instead of "case" and your language is set to Spanish, Word won't suggest it's incorrectly spelled.
  6. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 13
    6
    Click Set as Default to confirm.
  7. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 14
    7
    Choose "Display and Help Languages." This will change the language of any dialogue box that pops up.
  8. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 15
    8
    Click OK. The "Set the Office Language Preferences" window will close and your settings will be applied.

Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Using macOS

  1. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 16
    1
    Open a document in Word. You can open a project you're working on or you can create a new document to change these settings. But any settings you edit will apply every time you open Word. For example, if you set the language to French from a new document, the language will still be in French when you open Word later.
    • If you want to change the display and help languages, you'll have to change your OS language in Apple menu>System Preferences>Language&Region.
  2. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 17
    2
    Click Tools. You'll see this in the menu along the top of your screen.[4]
  3. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 18
    3
    Click Language. A new window will pop-up.
  4. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 19
    4
    Click to select your language. If you want this to apply to every instance you open Word, click Default. If you don't set the language as the default, then Word will return to the original language the next time you open it.
  5. Image titled Change the Language in Word Step 20
    5
    Click OK. You'll see this in the bottom right of the pop-up window.

You Might Also Like

Remove a Blank Page in Word
How to
Remove a Blank Page in Word
Create an Index in Word
How to
Create an Index in Word
Check a Word Count in Microsoft Word
How to
Check a Word Count in Microsoft Word
Convert a JPEG Image Into an Editable Word Document
How to
Convert a JPEG Image Into an Editable Word Document
Corrupt a Word File
How to
Corrupt a Word File
Insert a Check Box in Word
How to
Insert a Check Box in Word
Insert a Hyperlink in Microsoft Word
How to
Insert a Hyperlink in Microsoft Word
Redline a Document in Microsoft Word
How to
Redline a Document in Microsoft Word
Remove the 'Read Only' Status on MS Word Documents
How to
Remove the 'Read Only' Status on MS Word Documents
Add Backgrounds in Word
How to
Add Backgrounds in Word
Insert a Line in Word
How to
Insert a Line in Word
Print Avery Labels in Microsoft Word on PC or Mac
How to
Print Avery Labels in Microsoft Word on PC or Mac
Turn a Scanned Document Into Microsoft Word Document
How to
Turn a Scanned Document Into Microsoft Word Document
Insert a File Into a Word Document
How to
Insert a File Into a Word Document

References

  1. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/change-the-language-office-uses-in-its-menus-and-proofing-tools-f5c54ff9-a6fa-4348-a43c-760e7ef148f8#ID0EAACAAA=iOS
  2. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/change-the-language-office-uses-in-its-menus-and-proofing-tools-f5c54ff9-a6fa-4348-a43c-760e7ef148f8#ID0EAACAAA=Android
  3. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/add-an-editing-language-or-set-language-preferences-in-office-663d9d94-ca99-4a0d-973e-7c4a6b8a827d
  4. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/change-the-language-office-uses-in-its-menus-and-proofing-tools-f5c54ff9-a6fa-4348-a43c-760e7ef148f8#ID0EAACAAA=MacOS

About This Article

Darlene Antonelli, MA
Written by:
Darlene Antonelli, MA
Tech Specialist
This article was written by Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities. This article has been viewed 17,099 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 2
Updated: September 29, 2019
Views: 17,099
Categories: Microsoft Word
Article SummaryX

1. Open Word.
2. Tap the edit icon that looks like an "A" and pencil.
3. Tap Home and Review.
4. Tap Proofing and Language.
5. Tap the right-pointing arrow next to the current language.
6. Tap the language you want for your document.

Did this summary help you?