How to Change the Language in Word

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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

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    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.
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    This will open the editing menu.
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    You'll see a list of options.
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    The menu options to the right will change. [1]
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    The options in the menu will change again.
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    You'll see a list of languages.
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    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]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Windows

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    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.
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    You'll find this in the editing ribbon above the document. [3]
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    A new window will open.
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    You'll see this tab in the left pane. A new window titled, "Set the Office Language Preferences" will open.
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    " 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.
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    " This will change the language of any dialogue box that pops up.
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    The "Set the Office Language Preferences" window will close and your settings will be applied.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using macOS

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    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.
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    You'll see this in the menu along the top of your screen. [4]
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    A new window will pop-up.
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    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.
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    You'll see this in the bottom right of the pop-up window.
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      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

      Article Summary X

      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.

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