How to Change SharePoint List Language From English to Another Language
Question details
The user needs to change the interface language of a SharePoint list or resolve an issue where the interface and labels are stuck displaying in English instead of their preferred language.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Accessing or configuring a SharePoint list where the localization settings do not match the user's expected language, resulting in a mixed or entirely English interface.
- Observed behavior
- SharePoint interface text and system-generated labels appear in English despite the user attempting to set the language preferences to another language (e.g., Chinese).
Ensure you have site owner permissions if you need to modify the default site-level language settings, and verify that your web browser is up to date.
Verify and Change Site, Personal, and Browser Language Settings
Adjust the root site language, personal regional settings, and browser language to ensure consistent localization across SharePoint.
SharePoint determines which language to display based on a combination of the site's default settings, your personal profile settings, and your browser preferences. Aligning all three often resolves display inconsistencies.
Click the gear icon in the top right corner of your SharePoint site, navigate to 'Site settings', and select 'Language settings' to verify the default site language.
Go to your Microsoft 365 profile settings, locate the 'Change your personal language and regional settings' section, and set your preferred display language.
Open your web browser's settings, navigate to the Languages section, and ensure your primary preferred language is moved to the top of the list.
Log completely out of your Microsoft 365 account, close the browser, and sign back in to apply the new localization settings.
Troubleshoot Cross-Browser and User Account Issues
Rule out browser caching issues or specific profile corruption by testing alternative environments.
Looking for a Hassle-Free Office Solution? Try WPS Office
While SharePoint offers extensive enterprise features, complex localization bugs can disrupt your workflow. If you need a reliable, lightweight suite for your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, WPS Office provides a seamless and free alternative with robust multilingual support.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install and Launch: Run the installer, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup, and open the application.
- 3. Set Interface Language: Navigate to the Global Settings menu to easily switch the software interface to your preferred language.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some system-generated labels in SharePoint remain in English?
Some backend labels in SharePoint may not translate completely due to system limitations or ongoing localization bugs in Microsoft 365. When this happens, it usually requires a SharePoint administrator to open a diagnostic ticket with Microsoft Support.
Do personal language settings override SharePoint site language settings?
Yes, your personal language and regional profile settings generally take precedence over the site's default language, provided that the administrator has enabled alternate languages for that specific SharePoint site.
Can changing my browser language fix SharePoint translation issues?
Yes, SharePoint often relies on the browser's language preferences to determine which localized interface to display. Ensuring your browser language is set correctly can quickly resolve many display discrepancies.
