Applies ToExcel for Microsoft 365 Word for Microsoft 365 Outlook for Microsoft 365 PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 Access for Microsoft 365 OneNote for Microsoft 365 Project Online Desktop Client Publisher for Microsoft 365 Visio Plan 2 Excel 2024 Outlook 2024 PowerPoint 2024 Access 2024 OneNote 2024 Project Professional 2024 Project Standard 2024 Office 2024 Excel 2021 Word 2021 Outlook 2021 PowerPoint 2021 Access 2021 Project Professional 2021 Project Standard 2021 Publisher 2021 Visio Professional 2021 Visio Standard 2021 Office 2021 OneNote 2021 Excel 2019 Word 2019 Outlook 2019 PowerPoint 2019 Access 2019 Project Professional 2019 Project Standard 2019 Publisher 2019 Visio Professional 2019 Visio Standard 2019 Office 2019 Excel 2016 Word 2016 Outlook 2016 PowerPoint 2016 Access 2016 OneNote 2016 Project Professional 2016 Project Standard 2016 Publisher 2016 Visio Professional 2016 Visio Standard 2016 Office 2016 Visio Professional 2013 InfoPath 2013

Office uses the default input language in the Windows operating system to determine the default language for Office programs. For example, if the default input language for the Windows operating system is Japanese, the default language for all Office programs is also Japanese.

Important: 

  • It is NOT usually necessary to change the Windows input language to work with multiple languages in Office. Most language needs can be met by doing one of the following:

  • If you're having trouble with languages and you're not sure if you want to change the language in Windows, read Troubleshoot checking spelling and grammar in multiple languages first.

If you have a Microsoft 365 Family or Personal subscription, or a one-time purchase of Office, and you want to permanently change the language of your Office installation, see Choose or change the language of your Office installation for another option.

Change the default input language for Windows

  1. From the Start menu, search for Control Panel, and open Control Panel.

  2. Under Clock, Language, and Region, click Change input methods.

    Note: If you don't see Clock, Language, and Region, click Category in the View by menu at the top of the page.

  3. Optional: Click Add a language to add a new language. Select the language you want to add and click Add.

  4. Select your language, click Options, and then click Add an input method to add the input language you want. The default input language will be the first language in your language list.

See Also

Add a language or set language preferences in Office

Check spelling and grammar in a different language in Office

Enable or change the keyboard layout language

Change or set the default font in Outlook

Change or set the default font in Word

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.