This tutorial shows how to change the proofing language in Microsoft Word. The proofing language is the language Word uses to spell-check your document and offer grammar suggestions.
The bonus section at the end shows what to do if you don’t see spelling and grammar suggestions in your text.
Table of Contents
- How to Change the Proofing Language
- Bonus Section: How to View Spelling and Grammar Suggestions in the Text
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The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. These steps also apply to Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016. In addition, the steps will be similar in older versions of the software; however, your interface may look different than the interface shown here.
Are you on a Mac? Please see “How to Change the Proofing Language in Word for Mac.”
How to Change the Proofing Language
- Press Ctrl + A to select your entire document.
(Alternatively, select the Home tab followed by the Select button and Select All from the drop-down menu.)
Important Note: Word won’t check existing text in the new proofing language unless the text is selected before changing the language.
- Select the Review tab in the ribbon.
- Select the Language button in the Language group.
- Select Set Proofing Language from the drop-down menu.
- Select the language in the Language dialog box.
- Deselect the Do not check spelling or grammar and Detect language automatically options.
- (Optional) Select the Set As Default button to use the selected language in future documents.
- Select the OK button.
Word should now offer spelling and grammar suggestions in the selected language.
Bonus Section: How to View Spelling and Grammar Suggestions in the Text
If spelling and grammar suggestions don’t appear in your text, ensure that your preferences are set to show in-text corrections.
- Select the File tab in the ribbon.
- Select Options in the Backstage view.
- Select Proofing in the Word Options dialog box.
- Select the Check spelling as you type and Mark grammar errors as you type options.
- Select the OK button.
Related Resources
How to Change the Proofing Language for Comments in Microsoft Word
How to Change the Display Language in Microsoft Word
How to Use Track Changes in Microsoft Word
Updated January 03, 2023