Setting the display language in Outlook changes how menus and commands appear. If you need to know how to change the language on Outlook, you are in the right place. This guide walks you through every step for both desktop and web versions.
Outlook supports many languages. You can switch the interface or the spell checker. The process is simple once you know where to look.
Many users get stuck because the settings are hidden. We will show you the exact clicks. No guesswork needed.
Let us start with the most common version: Outlook for Microsoft 365.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Desktop
This section covers Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365. The steps are nearly identical across these versions.
Step 1: Open Outlook And Go To File
Launch Outlook on your computer. Look at the top-left corner. Click File.
This opens the backstage view. You will see several options on the left side.
Step 2: Access Options
Scroll down the left menu. Click Options. A new window pops up.
This is the main settings hub for Outlook. Do not close it yet.
Step 3: Find The Language Section
In the Options window, click Language on the left panel. You will see two main areas: Office display language and Office authoring languages and proofing.
The display language changes menus and buttons. The authoring language affects spell check and grammar.
Step 4: Set Your Display Language
Under Office display language, you see a list. If your desired language is there, select it. Then click Set as Preferred.
If the language is missing, click Add a Language. Choose from the list and install it. You may need to restart Outlook.
Step 5: Change The Authoring Language
Under Office authoring languages and proofing, click Add additional editing languages. Pick your language from the dropdown.
This language controls spell check and thesaurus. It does not change the interface.
Step 6: Restart Outlook
Close and reopen Outlook. The new language appears in menus and toolbars. If it does not, check your installation.
Some languages require additional language packs. Download them from Microsoft’s website if needed.
How To Change The Language On Outlook Web (Outlook.com)
The web version is different. You change it through your Microsoft account settings.
Step 1: Sign In To Outlook.com
Open your browser. Go to outlook.com. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
You see your inbox. Look at the top-right corner for the gear icon.
Step 2: Open Settings
Click the gear icon. A sidebar opens. Scroll to the bottom and click View all Outlook settings.
This opens the full settings panel. It has multiple sections.
Step 3: Go To General And Language
In the left menu, click General. Then click Language and time.
You see a dropdown for language. Click it and select your prefered language.
Note: The time zone and date format are also here. Change them if needed.
Step 4: Save And Refresh
Click Save at the top. The page reloads automatically. Your interface now shows the new language.
If it does not change, clear your browser cache. Sometimes old data interferes.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Mac
Mac users have a different process. Outlook for Mac uses system settings partly.
Step 1: Open Outlook Preferences
Launch Outlook on your Mac. Click Outlook in the top menu bar. Select Preferences.
A window appears with many icons. Look for Language.
Step 2: Set The Display Language
Click Language. You see a list of available languages. Check the one you want.
Drag it to the top of the list. This makes it the primary language.
Step 3: Restart Outlook
Close the preferences window. Quit Outlook completely. Reopen it.
The menus and commands now appear in your chosen language. If not, you may need to install a language pack for Office for Mac.
How To Change The Language On Outlook Mobile App
The mobile app uses your device’s language. You cannot change it inside the app itself.
Step 1: Change Your Phone Language
On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Language & Region. Set your prefered language.
On Android: Go to Settings > System > Languages & input > Languages. Add or change the language.
Step 2: Restart The App
Close Outlook completely. Open it again. The interface should match your device language.
Note: Some elements may stay in English. This is normal for certain features.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Spell Check Only
Sometimes you only want to change the proofing language. The interface stays in English.
Step 1: Open A New Message
Click New Email in Outlook. A blank message window opens.
Step 2: Set Proofing Language
In the message window, go to the Review tab. Click Language and then Set Proofing Language.
Choose your language from the list. Click OK.
This setting applies only to that message. For default, you need to change the authoring language in Options.
How To Change The Language On Outlook When It Is Grayed Out
Sometimes the language option is disabled. This happens due to admin restrictions or missing packs.
Check Your Office Version
Not all versions support multiple languages. If you have Office Home & Student, you may be limited. Upgrade to a more complete version if needed.
Install Language Packs
Go to the Microsoft website. Download the language pack for your Office version. Install it and restart.
After installation, the option becomes active. You can then set it as preferred.
Contact Your IT Admin
If you use a work or school account, your admin may control this. Contact them to request the change.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Different Accounts
If you have multiple email accounts in Outlook, each can have its own language? Not exactly. The display language is global for the app. But proofing language can vary per message.
For web version, each account has its own settings. You must change it per account.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts do not change with language. They remain the same. However, some shortcuts may conflict with different keyboard layouts.
If you switch to a non-English keyboard, test your shortcuts. Adjust them in Outlook Options if needed.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Calendar And Tasks
Calendar and tasks use the same display language. When you change the interface, these update too.
However, date formats may follow regional settings. Check your Windows or Mac system settings for date and time formats.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Email Signatures
Signatures do not change automatically. You must recreate them in the new language. Go to File > Options > Mail > Signatures.
Create a new signature with the correct language. Delete the old one if needed.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Rules And Alerts
Rules you created in English remain in English. They do not translate. You may need to recreate them if you want them in the new language.
Go to File > Manage Rules & Alerts. Edit each rule manually.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Search
Search uses the display language. After changing, search terms should work in the new language. But indexed items from before may not match.
Rebuild the search index if needed. Go to Windows Settings > Search > Searching Windows > Advanced options.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Mac With Different Office Version
Office for Mac 2011 is different. It uses a separate language preference. Go to Tools > Languages in the menu bar.
For newer versions, follow the steps above. The process is simpler now.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Shared Mailboxes
Shared mailboxes use your Outlook language. You cannot set a different language for them. The display is the same as your primary mailbox.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Accessibility
Language changes affect screen readers. They will read menus in the new language. Make sure the screen reader supports it.
Test with a simple action. If issues arise, switch back temporarily.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Multiple Users
If you share a computer, each user sets their own language. Outlook uses the Windows user profile. Log in with your account and change it.
Other users will not be affected.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Offline Use
Offline mode uses the same language. No extra steps needed. The language pack must be installed before going offline.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For New Installation
When you install Office fresh, you choose the language. If you missed it, you can add it later. Use the steps above.
Reinstalling is not necessary. Just add the language pack.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Windows 11
Windows 11 has a different settings layout. But Outlook steps remain the same. Follow the desktop steps above.
The only difference is how you install language packs. Use Windows Settings > Time & Language > Language & region.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Windows 10
Same as Windows 11. The Outlook interface is identical. No special steps needed.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Work Or School Accounts
If your organization uses Microsoft 365, they may control languages. Check with IT. If allowed, follow the standard steps.
Some organizations disable language changes. You may need to request an exception.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Personal Use
Personal accounts have full control. Change it anytime. No restrictions.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Multiple Languages At Once
You can install several languages. Set one as preferred. Switch between them by repeating the steps.
Each language pack takes disk space. Install only what you need.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Proofing In Different Languages
You can have multiple authoring languages. Outlook checks spelling in all of them. Go to Options > Language > Add additional editing languages.
This is useful if you write in two languages often.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Email Replies
When replying, the proofing language matches the original message? Not always. It uses your default. Set it manually if needed.
You can also use the Set Proofing Language option in the Review tab.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Templates
Templates you created in English stay in English. Recreate them in the new language. Or edit the template file.
Go to File > New Items > Choose Form to find templates.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Quick Steps
Quick Steps are not translated. They keep their original names. You can rename them manually.
Go to Home > Quick Steps > Manage Quick Steps. Edit each one.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Categories
Category names do not change. They remain as you created them. You can edit them in the new language.
Right-click a category and choose Rename.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Junk Email Options
These options are part of the interface. They change with the display language. No extra steps.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Automatic Replies
Automatic replies (out of office) are not translated. You write them in your chosen language. They send as written.
Set them up in File > Automatic Replies.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Add-Ins
Add-ins may not support all languages. They might stay in English. Check the add-in provider for language support.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Mac With M1 Chip
No difference. The steps are the same as for Intel Macs. Language packs are universal.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Android Tablet
Same as mobile. Change the device language. Outlook follows it.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For IPad
Same as iPhone. Change the iPad language in Settings. Restart Outlook.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Chromebook
Use the web version. Follow the Outlook.com steps above. No desktop app for Chrome OS.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Linux
No native Outlook for Linux. Use the web version or a third-party client. The web steps apply.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Virtual Desktop
If you use a virtual desktop, the language follows the host system. Change it on the host. Or use the web version.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Citrix
Same as virtual desktop. The language is set by the server admin. Contact them.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Remote Desktop
Remote desktop uses the remote computer’s settings. Change Outlook on that machine.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Multiple Monitors
No effect. The language is the same on all monitors.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Dark Mode
Dark mode is separate from language. You can use both. No conflict.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Reading Pane
The reading pane uses the display language. It updates automatically.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Folder Names
Folder names do not change. They stay as you named them. Rename them manually in the new language.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Navigation Pane
The navigation pane (mail, calendar, etc.) updates with the display language. No extra steps.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Ribbon
The ribbon changes fully. All tabs and buttons show the new language.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Context Menus
Right-click menus update too. They use the display language.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Status Bar
The status bar at the bottom changes. It shows the new language for items like connection status.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Tooltips
Tooltips (hover text) also change. They match the display language.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Help
Help content may not be fully translated. Some articles stay in English. Use the web for localized help.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Error Messages
Error messages appear in the display language. This helps with troubleshooting.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Dialog Boxes
All dialog boxes (like Save As) use the new language. No exceptions.
How To Change The Language On Outlook For Macros
Macros are code. They do not change. You must edit them manually if needed.