How To Change Spell Check Language In Outlook – Outlook Proofing Language Options

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Setting the correct spell check language in Outlook prevents those red underlines from being a distraction. If you have ever wondered how to change spell check language in Outlook, you are not alone. Many users struggle with this setting, especially when working in multilingual environments or receiving emails in different languages. This guide will walk you through every method, from desktop to web, so you can focus on your message instead of those annoying squiggly lines.

Outlook’s spell checker is a powerful tool, but it only works well when set to the right language. A wrong setting can mark correct words as errors or miss real mistakes. Let’s fix that right now.

How To Change Spell Check Language In Outlook

Before diving into steps, understand that Outlook uses the proofing language from your Office suite. Changing it in Outlook often affects Word, Excel, and PowerPoint too. But don’t worry—we’ll cover both global and per-message changes.

Method 1: Change Spell Check Language For A Single Message

This is the quickest fix when you only need to proof one email in a different language. Follow these steps:

  1. Open a new email or reply to an existing message in Outlook.
  2. Highlight the text you want to check, or place your cursor anywhere in the message body.
  3. Go to the Review tab in the ribbon at the top.
  4. Click Language and then Set Proofing Language.
  5. Scroll through the list and select your desired language (e.g., French, Spanish, German).
  6. Click OK to apply.

That’s it. The red underlines should now match the language you selected. If you don’t see the language you need, you might have to install a language pack first (covered later).

Method 2: Change Default Spell Check Language For All New Messages

If you always write in a language other than English, change the default. This saves you from setting it each time.

  1. In Outlook, go to File > Options.
  2. Click Mail in the left sidebar.
  3. Scroll down to the Compose messages section.
  4. Click Editor Options (or Spelling and Autocorrect in newer versions).
  5. Select Proofing.
  6. Under When correcting spelling in Office programs, click Set Language.
  7. Pick your preferred language and click Set as Default.
  8. Click OK twice to save.

Now every new email you compose will use that language for spell check. Existing drafts won’t change, but future ones will.

Method 3: Change Language In Outlook For Microsoft 365 (Web Version)

Outlook on the web (OWA) works a bit differently. Here’s how to adjust it:

  1. Log into Outlook.com or your work/school webmail.
  2. Click the Settings gear icon (top right).
  3. Select View all Outlook settings at the bottom.
  4. Go to General > Language and time.
  5. Under Language, choose your preferred display and proofing language.
  6. Click Save.

Note: The web version may not support all languages for spell check. If your language is missing, you might need to use the desktop app instead.

Method 4: Install A New Language Pack For Outlook

Sometimes the language you need isn’t in the list. You have to install it from Microsoft. Here’s how:

  1. Open any Office app (like Word or Outlook).
  2. Go to File > Account (or Office Account).
  3. Under Product Information, click Update Options > Install Language Accessories.
  4. You’ll be redirected to the Microsoft website. Download the language pack for your version of Office.
  5. Run the installer and follow the prompts.
  6. Restart Outlook. The new language should appear in the proofing list.

If you use Office 2019 or earlier, search for “Office language pack” on Microsoft’s site. Make sure you download the correct version (32-bit or 64-bit).

Method 5: Change Language For A Specific Email Account

If you have multiple email accounts in Outlook (e.g., work and personal), you might want different languages for each. Unfortunately, Outlook doesn’t allow per-account language settings natively. But you can work around it:

  • Create separate Outlook profiles for each account. Switch profiles when composing.
  • Or, manually set the language each time you write from a different account.

This isn’t ideal, but it works. For most users, the global default method is enough.

Common Issues And Fixes

Even after following the steps, you might see problems. Here are the most common ones:

Spell Check Still Uses The Wrong Language

This often happens because the default language is set in Word, not Outlook. Since Outlook shares settings with Word, change it there too:

  1. Open Microsoft Word.
  2. Go to File > Options > Language.
  3. Under Choose Editing Languages, make sure your language is listed and set as default.
  4. Click Set as Default and restart Outlook.

Language Option Is Grayed Out

If you can’t click the language option, your text might be in a table or a non-editable field. Click outside the table or select plain text. Also, check if the email is in plain text format—switch to HTML or Rich Text.

Spell Check Not Working At All

This is usually a setting issue. Go to File > Options > Mail > Spelling and Autocorrect. Ensure “Check spelling as you type” is enabled. Also, verify that “Hide spelling errors” is unchecked.

Advanced Tips For Multilingual Users

If you switch between languages often, these tips will save time:

  • Use keyboard shortcuts: Press Alt + R then U then L to open the language dialog quickly.
  • Add language to the Quick Access Toolbar: Right-click the language button in the ribbon and choose “Add to Quick Access Toolbar.”
  • Create a template: Save an email template with the language pre-set. Use it as a starting point.

How To Change Spell Check Language In Outlook For Mac

Mac users have a slightly different process. Here’s how:

  1. Open Outlook on your Mac.
  2. Go to Tools > Spelling and Grammar > Show Spelling and Grammar.
  3. In the window that appears, click the Language pop-up menu.
  4. Select your desired language.
  5. Close the window. The setting applies to the current message.

To change the default for all messages:

  1. Go to Outlook > Preferences.
  2. Click Spelling and Grammar.
  3. Under Language, choose your default.
  4. Close the preferences window.

Note: Mac version may not support as many languages as Windows. Check Microsoft’s support site for a list.

Why Does Outlook Keep Changing My Language?

Some users report that Outlook reverts to English after they set another language. This is usually due to:

  • Office updates: Sometimes updates reset language settings. Reapply your default after an update.
  • Corrupted settings: Try repairing Office via Control Panel > Programs > Microsoft Office > Change > Repair.
  • Conflicting add-ins: Disable third-party add-ins to see if they interfere.

How To Change Spell Check Language In Outlook For A Specific Word Or Phrase

You don’t have to change the entire document. To mark a single word as a different language:

  1. Select the word or phrase.
  2. Go to Review > Language > Set Proofing Language.
  3. Choose the language and click OK.

Outlook will remember this for that word only. It’s useful for names or technical terms in another language.

Using The Dictionary To Add Words

If a word is correct but still gets flagged, add it to your custom dictionary:

  1. Right-click the underlined word.
  2. Select Add to Dictionary.
  3. It won’t be flagged again in that language.

You can manage your custom dictionary in File > Options > Mail > Spelling and Autocorrect > Custom Dictionaries.

FAQ: How To Change Spell Check Language In Outlook

1. Can I change spell check language for only one email?
Yes. Highlight the text, go to Review > Language > Set Proofing Language, and choose your language. It applies to that message only.

2. Why is my language not showing up in the list?
You need to install a language pack for Office. Go to File > Account > Install Language Accessories, or download it from Microsoft’s website.

3. Does changing language in Outlook affect other Office apps?
Yes, because they share the same proofing settings. Changing it in Outlook also changes it in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

4. How do I set a default language for all new emails?
Go to File > Options > Mail > Editor Options > Proofing > Set Language. Choose your language and click “Set as Default.”

5. Can I use multiple languages in one email?
Yes. Select each section of text and set its proofing language individually. Outlook will check each part according to its language.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to change spell check language in Outlook is a small skill that makes a big difference. Whether you write in one language or many, these steps keep your emails professional and error-free. Start with the method that fits your situation—single message, default, or web version—and adjust as needed.

If you run into trouble, revisit the common issues section. Most problems are easy to fix with a few clicks. And remember, you can always add words to your dictionary to avoid false positives.

Now go ahead and set your language. Those red underlines will only appear where they should.