Where to find the language settings in Word
The language setting in Word controls the spell-checker, grammar suggestions, and the interface itself — the menus and buttons you see on screen. You change them in different places depending on which one you want to adjust.
To change the language that Word uses to check your spelling and grammar, select the text you want to change first. If you want to change the whole document, press Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A on Mac) to select all. Then go to the Review tab at the top, find the Language button, and click Set Proofing Language. A box will open showing you the languages available on your computer. Pick the one you want and click OK.
To change the language of the interface itself — so the menus say "File" instead of "Archivo" or vice versa — you need to go to File, then Options, then Language on the left side. Choose your preferred language from the list and restart Word for the change to take effect.
Key Takeaways
- Spell-check language and interface language are separate settings, and you change them in different places.
- To change spell-check language, select your text, go to the Review tab, and click Language > Set Proofing Language.
- To change the menu and button language, go to File > Options > Language and restart Word.
- If a language does not appear in the list, you may need to install it through your Windows or Mac system settings first.
Changing the spell-check language for part of a document
You do not have to use the same spell-check language for the entire document. If you are writing a document that mixes English and French, for example, you can tell Word to check each section in the right language.
Highlight the section you want to change — just the French paragraph, or just the English one. Then go to Review > Language > Set Proofing Language, pick the language, and click OK. Word will now check only that section in the language you chose. The rest of the document stays in whatever language it was set to before.
This is useful if you are translating something, quoting text in another language, or working in a bilingual environment. Word will stop flagging foreign words as misspelled once you set the right language for that section.
What happens if your language is not in the list
If you do not see the language you need in Word's language menu, it usually means your operating system does not have that language installed. Word pulls from your system's language packs, so you have to install it there first.
On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region. Click Add a Language and search for the one you want. Once it downloads and installs, close and reopen Word — the language should now appear in the proofing language list.
On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Language & Region. Click the plus sign, choose your language, and click Add. Restart Word and the language will be available.
Changing the interface language on Mac
Mac works differently from Windows. You cannot change Word's interface language inside Word itself. Instead, you change it through your Mac system settings, and Word follows.
Go to System Settings > General > Language & Region. The language at the top of the list is your primary language, and that is what Word will use for its menus and buttons. If you want Word in a different language than the rest of your Mac, you will need to change your Mac's primary language, which affects all your applications.
After you change it, restart Word. The menus and buttons should now appear in the language you selected.
Changing the interface language on Windows
On Windows, you have more control. You can change Word's interface language without changing the language for your entire system.
Open Word and go to File > Options. On the left side, click Language. Under Office Language Preferences, you will see Display Language and Help Language. Click the dropdown next to Display Language and choose the language you want. If the language you want is not there, click Add a Language and install it from Windows settings first.
After you pick a language, Word will ask you to restart. Close and reopen the program, and the interface will be in your chosen language.
Fixing spell-check when it is checking in the wrong language
Sometimes Word defaults to a language you did not choose, especially if you installed Office in one language and your system is set to another. The red squiggly lines under words might mean the spell-checker is looking for mistakes in the wrong language.
The fastest way to fix this is to select all your text (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A), go to Review > Language > Set Proofing Language, and pick the right language. This resets the entire document at once.
If you want to prevent this from happening in new documents, you can set a default. Go to File > Options > Language and look for Choose Display and Help Languages. The language listed first is what Word will use as the default for new documents.
When you need multiple languages in one document
If you regularly write in more than one language, you can set up Word to handle that without constant switching. The key is to mark each section with its language before you start typing, or to go back and mark it afterward.
Highlight a paragraph or section, go to Review > Language > Set Proofing Language, and choose the language for that section. Do this for each language in your document. Word will then check spelling and grammar correctly for each part.
You can also turn off the spell-checker for specific sections if you are including code, technical terms, or proper names that should not be flagged. In the Set Proofing Language dialog, check the box that says Do Not Check Spelling or Grammar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the language just for one word?
Yes. Select just that word, go to Review > Language > Set Proofing Language, and choose the language. Word will check only that word in the language you picked. This is useful for names or borrowed words that should not be flagged as misspelled.
Will changing the language affect my document's formatting?
No. Changing the spell-check language or the interface language does not change fonts, spacing, margins, or any other formatting. It only changes how Word checks for errors and what language the menus appear in.
What if I share a document with someone who uses a different language?
The language settings are stored in the document itself. When the other person opens it, Word will use the language you set. If they want to change it, they can follow the same steps — their changes will not affect your copy of the file.
Does changing the language affect spell-check in Outlook or Excel?
No. Each Office program has its own language settings. Changing the language in Word does not change it in Outlook, Excel, or PowerPoint. You have to change each program separately if you want them all in the same language.
Why does Word keep switching back to English?
This usually happens if you did not select all the text before changing the language, or if you are opening a document that was created with English as the default. Select all text first, then set the proofing language. If it keeps reverting, check that your system language is set correctly in your operating system settings.