How to Change the Default Language on Microsoft Word in 4 Fast Steps

From classrooms to corporate offices, from PCs to Android devices to iPhones, Word is a vital part of everyday life for most people. With its international appeal, though, people often run into a problem in that Word is always installed with English as its default language, and it can be a bit of a struggle to change this. Well, not to worry because this guide will show you how to change the default language on Microsoft Word.

How to Change the Default Language on Microsoft Word

You will need a licensed copy of Microsoft Word to do this, as you will need to download the language pack for Office from Microsoft’s website. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Open language options

First, open Word and click on File → Options → Language. Then select Get more display and help languages from Office.com.

Step 2: Download language pack

This will open your browser to the webpage that you need to download the language you’re looking for. Scroll down until you see a dropdown menu that asks what language you need. Click this and select the language that you’re looking for. Then choose the version you want to download; this depends on whether you are running a 32- or 64-bit version of Office.

Step 3: Install language pack

Now run the installation file that you just downloaded, select Yes from the pop-up and let the installation run. Once complete, completely restart Word.

Step 4: Set language as default

Follow Step 1 again to go back to your language settings, and you’ll see that the language you downloaded is now listed in the window. Click on it and use either the arrows to move it to the top of the list or click Set as default.

Words, Words, Words

Microsoft has included hundreds of languages in their Office suite, making it a perfect tool for people working as translators and the like. However, sometimes the settings and options can feel a little overwhelming, but luckily, that’s why we’re here to help.