Fix Microsoft Editor Showing Spanish Suggestions in English Document
Question details
The user needs to correct the proofing language settings because Microsoft Editor is applying Spanish spelling and grammar checks to English text.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Proofreading and editing an English-language document in Microsoft Word.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Editor highlights correct English words as misspelled and suggests Spanish spelling and grammar corrections.
Before adjusting the language settings, press Ctrl+A on your keyboard to select the entire document so that the correct proofing language is applied uniformly.
Update Proofing Language Settings
Manually set the document's proofing language to the correct English variant and disable automatic language detection to prevent unwanted shifts.
Microsoft Editor relies on the document's assigned proofing language to provide accurate spelling and grammar suggestions. If the language was accidentally switched or automatically detected incorrectly, you must manually override it.
Highlight the specific text showing incorrect Spanish suggestions, or press Ctrl+A to select the entire document.
On the top ribbon of the application, click on the Review tab to access the document editing tools.
Click the Language button in the ribbon, then select Set Proofing Language from the drop-down menu.
In the Language dialog box, scroll through the list and select your preferred variant, such as English (United States) or English (United Kingdom).
Uncheck the box labeled 'Detect language automatically' to stop the editor from switching back to Spanish, then click OK to save your changes.
Manage Proofing Languages Easily with WPS Writer
If you are tired of unpredictable spelling check behaviors, WPS Writer offers a highly stable and easy-to-use proofing system. Set your language once and edit your English documents with confidence.
- 1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your English text document.
- 2. Access the Review Tools: Click on the Review tab located on the top navigation ribbon.
- 3. Open Spell Check Settings: Click on the Spell Check icon and select 'Set Spell Check Language' from the drop-down menu.
- 4. Set Default Language: Choose English (United States) from the list and click 'Set as Default' to prevent future language mix-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft Word think my English document is in Spanish?
This usually happens when the 'Detect language automatically' feature mistakenly identifies certain names, phrases, or loanwords as Spanish, causing it to switch the proofing dictionary for the surrounding text.
Can I apply the English proofing language to the entire document at once?
Yes. Before opening the Language settings under the Review tab, simply press Ctrl+A on your keyboard to highlight all text. Any language setting you apply will then affect the whole document.
How do I stop Microsoft Editor from changing languages automatically?
Go to the Review tab, click Language, and choose Set Proofing Language. In the dialog box that appears, uncheck the box that says 'Detect language automatically' and click OK.
