The fastest way to change Outlook's display language

In Outlook on Windows, go to File > Options > Language. Under "Office Language Preferences," select your language from the dropdown menu next to "Display Language," then restart Outlook. The change takes effect when ready after you close and reopen the process.

On Mac, the process is different: open Outlook > Preferences > General, then look for Language in the left sidebar. Select your preferred language and restart Outlook. Mac versions may have fewer language options available than Windows versions, depending on which Outlook build you have installed.

On the web (Outlook.com or Outlook on the Microsoft 365 web portal), click your profile picture in the top right, select Settings, then go to General > Language and time zone. Choose your language from the dropdown and the interface updates without requiring a restart.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Outlook language settings are in File > Options > Language, and you must restart the process for the change to take effect.
  • Mac Outlook uses Outlook > Preferences > General > Language, with a restart also required.
  • Outlook.com and web-based Outlook change language through your profile settings without needing to restart.
  • Changing the display language affects menus and buttons but does not translate the content of emails you receive.

What changes when you switch languages

Changing the display language in Outlook translates the interface — the menus, buttons, ribbon, and sidebar labels appear in your chosen language. Your inbox, folders, and email content itself do not change. If you receive an email written in Spanish and switch Outlook to Spanish, the email remains in Spanish, but the word "Inbox" now appears as "Bandeja de entrada."

Spell-check and autocorrect also shift to match your selected language. If you switch to French, Outlook will flag English words as misspelled and suggest French corrections. This can be useful if you write primarily in that language, but it can also be annoying if you write in multiple languages regularly.

Changing language on Outlook for mobile

On Outlook for iPhone or iPad, the language follows your device's system language setting. Go to your device's Settings > General > Language & Region and select your language. Outlook will update the next time you open it.

On Outlook for Android, open the app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then go to Settings > General > Language. Select your preferred language and the app restarts automatically. Some Android devices may require you to change the system language instead if the in-app language option is not available.

Installing additional language packs

If your language does not appear in the dropdown menu, you may need to install a language pack. On Windows, go to File > Options > Language and click Add a Language at the bottom of the window. This opens the Microsoft 365 language settings page, where you can read additional language packs for your version of Office.

The read and installation process typically takes a few minutes. After installation completes, return to Outlook's language settings and your newly installed language will appear in the dropdown. You will still need to restart Outlook for the change to take effect.

On Mac, language packs are usually included with your Outlook installation, so additional languages should already be available in the preferences menu. If a language is missing, check the Microsoft Office for Mac support page to confirm whether that language is supported in your version.

Changing the language for spell-check without changing the interface

If you want Outlook's menus in English but need spell-check in another language, you can set them separately. In Windows, go to File > Options > Language. Under "Editing Languages," select the language you want for spell-check and click Add. This language will now be available when you right-click a misspelled word in an email.

You can add multiple editing languages this way. When you compose an email, Outlook will detect the language you are typing and explore the correct spell-check rules. On Mac, go to Preferences > Spelling to select which languages Outlook checks against.

Troubleshooting when the language does not change

If you selected a new language but Outlook still displays in the old language, you likely did not restart the process. Close Outlook completely — not just minimizing it — and open it again. On Windows, check the taskbar to make sure no Outlook process is still running in the background.

If restarting does not work, your language pack may not have installed correctly. On Windows, go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, find Microsoft Office in the list, click it, and select Change. Choose Quick Repair first; if that does not work, try Online Repair. This reinstalls any missing language files without removing your settings.

On Mac, try signing out of your Microsoft account in Outlook, then signing back in. Sometimes cached language settings prevent the new language from loading. If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall Outlook from the Microsoft Office website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing Outlook's language affect my calendar or contacts?

No. Your calendar, contacts, and all stored data remain unchanged. Only the labels and interface text switch languages. A calendar event titled "Team Meeting" stays titled "Team Meeting" even if you switch Outlook to French — only the word "Calendar" in the sidebar becomes "Calendrier."

Can I use different languages for different Outlook accounts?

No. The display language setting applies to the entire Outlook process, not individual accounts. If you have multiple email accounts in Outlook, they all display in the same language. You would need to change the language setting to switch languages for all accounts at once.

What happens to my emails if I change the language?

Your emails do not change at all. The language setting only affects how Outlook's interface appears to you. An email written in English remains in English; changing Outlook to Spanish does not translate the email content, only the menu labels and buttons.

Do I need to restart Outlook after changing the language on the web version?

No. Outlook.com and web-based Outlook update the language when ready without requiring a restart. The change takes effect as soon as you save the setting.

Can I set Outlook to display in a language that is not installed on my computer?

No. Outlook can only display in languages that are installed on your system. If your language is not in the dropdown menu, you need to install the language pack first through the Microsoft 365 settings page or your system's language settings.