Changing the language in Outlook 365 updates the interface and proofing tools across all your connected accounts. If you have ever wondered how to change language in Outlook 365, you are in the right place. This guide walks you through every step, from desktop to web and mobile versions.
Outlook 365 supports dozens of languages, so you can switch to your prefered one quickly. Whether you need the display language or the editing language adjusted, the process is straightforward. Let’s start with the desktop app, then cover the web and mobile versions.
How To Change Language In Outlook 365
This section covers the exact steps for the desktop version of Outlook 365. The setting is located inside the Office Language Preferences tool, not directly inside Outlook itself. Follow these steps carefully.
Step 1: Open Office Language Preferences
First, close Outlook completely. Then, open any Office app like Word or Excel. Click on File in the top-left corner. Scroll down and select Options. In the Options window, choose Language from the left menu. This opens the Office Language Preferences dialog.
Step 2: Add Or Change The Display Language
Under Office display language, you will see a list of installed languages. If your target language is not there, click Add a language. Select your desired language from the dropdown and click Add. The new language will appear in the list. Click the three dots next to it and select Set as Preferred.
Step 3: Set The Proofing Language
Under Office authoring languages and proofing, you can set the default editing language. Click Add a language and choose your language. Then, click Set as Preferred. This ensures spell check and grammar tools match your chosen language. If the language has proofing tools installed, a checkmark will appear.
Step 4: Apply And Restart Outlook
Click OK to save the changes. A popup may tell you to restart Office apps. Close all Office programs, including Outlook. Reopen Outlook 365. The interface and proofing tools will now reflect the new language. This is the core method for how to change language in Outlook 365 on desktop.
Changing Language In Outlook 365 Web Version
The web version of Outlook 365 uses your browser’s language settings by default. However, you can override this directly inside the web app. Here is how.
Step 1: Sign In To Outlook On The Web
Go to outlook.office.com and sign in with your work or school account. Once the inbox loads, click the gear icon in the top-right corner to open Settings.
Step 2: Access Language Settings
In the Settings pane, click View all Outlook settings at the bottom. Then, navigate to General > Language and time. Here, you will see a dropdown for Language.
Step 3: Select Your Prefered Language
Click the dropdown and choose your desired language. The interface will immediately update to show the new language. You do not need to refresh the page. This method works for both the display language and the regional date/time format.
Step 4: Confirm The Change
After selecting, close the settings pane. The web app will now display in your chosen language. All menus, buttons, and folders will update. This is the simplest way to change language in Outlook 365 if you use the web version regularly.
How To Change Language In Outlook 365 Mobile App
The mobile app for Outlook 365 uses your device’s system language by default. To change it, you must adjust your phone’s language settings. Here is how for both iOS and Android.
On IPhone Or IPad
Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap General > Language & Region. Tap iPhone Language and select your prefered language. Confirm the change. The device will restart. After that, open Outlook. The app will now display in the new language.
On Android
Open the Settings app on your Android device. Tap System > Languages & input > Languages. Tap Add a language and select your language. Drag it to the top of the list to set it as default. The system will update. Open Outlook to see the change.
Note that some Android versions allow per-app language settings. Check if your device has this feature under Settings > Apps > Outlook > Language. This gives you more control without changing the whole system.
Common Issues When Changing Language In Outlook 365
Sometimes the language does not change immediately. Here are common problems and fixes.
Language Not Appearing In The List
If your language is missing from the Office Language Preferences, you may need to download the language pack. Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language on Windows. Add the language there. Then, restart Outlook. The language pack will download automatically.
Proofing Tools Not Working
After changing the language, spell check might still use the old language. Open a new email. Click Review > Language > Set Proofing Language. Select the correct language and click OK. This overrides the default for that message.
Interface Partially Changed
Some menus might stay in English even after the change. This usually happens if the language pack is incomplete. Reinstall the language pack from Office’s official site. Or, run an Office repair from Control Panel > Programs > Microsoft 365 > Change > Quick Repair.
How To Change Language In Outlook 365 For Specific Emails
You might want to write an email in a different language without changing the whole interface. Outlook allows per-message language settings.
Step 1: Open A New Email
Click New Email in Outlook. Go to the Review tab. Click Language > Set Proofing Language. A list of installed languages will appear.
Step 2: Select The Language
Choose the language you want for this email. Check the box that says Do not check spelling or grammar if you want to disable proofing. Click OK. The spell checker will now use the selected language for this message only.
Step 3: Save As Default
If you want this language to be the default for all new emails, click Set As Default in the same dialog. This changes the authoring language permanently. This is a quick way to change language in Outlook 365 for specific tasks.
Changing The Display Language In Outlook 365 For Mac
Outlook for Mac uses the system language by default. To change it, follow these steps.
Step 1: Open System Preferences
Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner. Select System Preferences > Language & Region. Add your prefered language and drag it to the top of the list.
Step 2: Restart Outlook
Close Outlook completely. Reopen it. The interface will now display in the new language. If it does not, check that the language is supported by Office for Mac. Some languages require a separate download from Microsoft’s website.
Step 3: Verify The Change
Open a new email and check the menu bar. All items should be in the selected language. If proofing tools are not working, go to Tools > Spelling and Grammar > Language and set the correct language.
How To Change Language In Outlook 365 For Multiple Accounts
If you have multiple email accounts in Outlook, the language change applies to all of them. However, you can set different proofing languages per account.
Step 1: Open Account Settings
Click File > Account Settings > Account Settings. Select the account you want to modify. Click Change.
Step 2: Set The Language
In the change dialog, look for language options. Some accounts allow you to set a default language for outgoing emails. Select your prefered language and click Next > Finish.
Step 3: Repeat For Other Accounts
Do the same for each account. This is useful if you work with clients in different regions. The interface language remains the same, but each account can have its own proofing language.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Change The Language In Outlook 365 Without Changing The System Language?
Yes, for the desktop version, you can set the Office display language independently. Use the Office Language Preferences tool as described above. For the web version, you can change it directly in settings. The mobile app requires system language changes.
Why Is My Language Not Showing Up In Outlook 365?
Your language may not be installed. Go to Windows language settings and add the language. Then, download the language pack for Office. Restart Outlook. If it still does not appear, check Microsoft’s list of supported languages for your Office version.
Will Changing The Language Affect My Email Signatures?
No, email signatures are stored separately. They will not change automatically. You may need to update them manually if they contain text in the old language. This is a common oversight.
How Do I Reset The Language Back To English In Outlook 365?
Follow the same steps. In Office Language Preferences, set English as the preferred display language. For the web version, select English from the dropdown. Restart Outlook. The interface will revert to English.
Does Changing The Language In Outlook 365 Affect Other Office Apps?
Yes, the change applies to all Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. They share the same language preferences. If you only want to change Outlook, use the per-account method or the web version.
Additional Tips For Language Settings In Outlook 365
Here are some extra pointers to make the most of your language settings.
- Always restart Outlook after changing the language to ensure all components update.
- Check for updates in Office if the language pack does not install. Go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
- Use the Language Preferences tool to set both display and proofing languages at once.
- For shared computers, each user can set their own language without affecting others.
- If you use multiple languages regularly, add them all to the list and switch quickly using the language bar in the taskbar.
Changing the language in Outlook 365 is a simple process once you know where to look. The desktop version uses Office Language Preferences, the web version has its own settings, and the mobile app follows the system language. By following the steps above, you can work in your prefered language without hassle.
Remember to check for language packs if your language is missing. Also, set proofing languages per email if needed. With these methods, you can fully customize your Outlook experience. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, these steps will help you change the language quickly.
If you encounter any issues, refer to the FAQ section or try the troubleshooting tips. Most problems are solved by restarting the app or reinstalling the language pack. Outlook 365 is designed to be flexible, so you can switch languages as often as you need.
Now you know exactly how to change language in Outlook 365. Apply these steps and enjoy a more comfortable email experience in your chosen language.