How to Change Language in Microsoft Word & Office

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A quick and easy guide to change the language on Word

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: April 28, 2025

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Using Android and iOS

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Using Windows

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Using macOS

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.

How can I change the language in Word?

Open a document in Word, then click the “File” tab at the top-left corner of the screen. Select “Options” and click “Language” in the left pane. Then, choose the language you want from the list and hit “Set as Default.”

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.
This will open the editing menu.

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You'll see a list of options.
The menu options to the right will change.^{[1]
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The options in the menu will change again.
You'll see a list of languages.
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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]
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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.
You'll find this in the editing ribbon above the document.^{[3]
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A new window will open.
You'll see this tab in the left pane. A new window titled, "Set the Office Language Preferences" will open.
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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.
" This will change the language of any dialogue box that pops up.
The "Set the Office Language Preferences" window will close and your settings will be applied.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using macOS

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