Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Microsoft Word

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This tutorial shows how to change the proofing language for comments in Microsoft Word.

But first, why would you want to change the proofing language for comments? Because …

Comments in Word Inherit Proofing Languages

When you use Word’s Track Changes to edit someone else’s document, the comment tool automatically inherits the original author’s proofing language along with spelling and grammar-check settings. Normally this inheritance isn’t a problem. However, if the author wrote the text in another language and then translated it to English, your comments may be ignored by the spelling and grammar check (now called the Editor) until you change the comments to your desired proofing language.

This tutorial is available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.

Watch more than 250 other writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel.

Please note that the images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. The steps also apply to Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016 and Word 2013; however, the interface in these older versions may look slightly different.

Important Note: These steps don’t work with Word’s new “Modern” comments. To use these steps, turn off Modern comments as shown in “How to Use Comments in Microsoft Word (Modern Comments).”

How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Word

1. Select the Home tab in the ribbon.

Image of Word 365 / Word 2019 Home Tab | Step 1 in How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Word
Figure 1. Home tab in the ribbon

2. Select the dialog box launcher in the Styles group.

Image of Word 365 / Word 2019 Styles Dialog Box Launcher | Step 2 in How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Word
Figure 2. Styles dialog box launcher

3. Select the Options button in the Styles task pane.

Image of Word 365 / Word 2019 Options Button in the Styles Task Pane | Step 3 in How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Word
Figure 3. Options button in the Styles task pane

4. Select All styles in the Select styles to show drop-down menu in the Style Pane Options dialog box.

Image of Word 365 / Word 2019 Styles to Show Menu in the Style Pane Options Dialog Box | Step 4 in How to Change to Proofing Language for Comments in Word
Figure 4. Styles to Show Menu in the Style Pane Options dialog box

5. Select the OK button to close the Style Pane Options dialog box.

Image of Word 365 / Word 2019 OK Button in the Style Pane Options Dialog Box | Step 5 in How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Word
Figure 5. OK button in the Style Pane Options dialog box

6. Scroll to Comment Text in the Styles task pane; hold your cursor over Comment Text to reveal the options arrow.

Image of Word 365 / Word 2019 Comment Text Option in the Styles Task Pane | Step 6 in How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Word
Figure 6. Comment Text in the Styles task pane

7. Select the options arrow and then select Modify from the drop-down menu.

Image of the Modify Comment Text Option in the Styles Task Pane | Step 7 in How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Word
Figure 7. Modify Comment Text in the Styles task pane

8. Select the Format button in the Modify Style dialog box.

Image of Word 365 / Word 2019 Format Button in the Modify Style Dialog Box | Step 8 in How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Word
Figure 8. Format button in the Modify Style dialog box

9. Select Language in the drop-down menu.

Image of Word 365 / Word 2019 Language Option in the Format Menu of the Modify Style Dialog Box | Step 9 in How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Word
Figure 9. Language option in the Format menu of the Modify Style dialog box

10. Select English (or another preferred language) in the Mark selected text as drop-down menu in the Language dialog box.

Image of Word 365 / Word 2019 Language Dialog Box | Step 10 in How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Word
Figure 10. Mark Selected Text As menu in the Language dialog box

11. Uncheck Do not check spelling or grammar to ensure that Word will include your comments in spelling and grammar checks.

Image of Word 365 / Word 2019 Language Dialog Box Checkboxes | Step 11 in How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Word
Figure 11. Do No Check Spelling or Grammar checkbox in the Language dialog box

12. Select the OK button to close the Language dialog box.

Image of Word 365 / Word 2019 OK Button in the Language Dialog Box | Step 12 in How to Change the Proofing Lanuage for Comments in Word
Figure 12. OK button in the Language dialog box

13. Select the OK button to close the Modify Style dialog box.

Image of Word 365 / Word 2019 OK Button in the Modify Style Dialog Box | Step 13 in How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Word
Figure 13. OK button in the Modify Style dialog box

14. Save, close, and then reopen the document to activate your new comment review settings.

Recommended Reading: How to Change the Font and Font Size of Comments in Word

Updated September 17, 2022