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Fix OneNote for Mac Proofing Language Reverting to English US
Question details
The user needs to prevent OneNote for Mac from automatically switching the proofing language away from their preferred setting (English UK) back to English US.
- Product
- OneNote for Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Typing new text or moving the cursor between sentences, text boxes, and pages within a notebook.
- Observed behavior
- The selected proofing language unexpectedly reverts from English UK to English US, causing incorrect spell-check underlining.
Ensure your macOS is fully updated and save any important notes before navigating away to adjust system-level language preferences.
Align macOS Keyboard Input Source with OneNote
Resolve the conflict by changing the macOS system keyboard language to match your desired proofing language, preventing OneNote from overriding your selection.
OneNote for Mac actively monitors your macOS keyboard input source. If your Mac is set to a US keyboard layout, OneNote will assume you are typing in US English and continuously override your manual proofing language selections in the app.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your Mac screen and select 'System Settings' (or 'System Preferences' on older versions of macOS).
Scroll down the left sidebar and click on 'Keyboard'.
Look for the 'Text Input' section and click the 'Edit...' button next to 'Input Sources'.
Click the '+' button to add 'English (UK)' or your preferred language layout. Select 'English (US)' and click the '-' button to remove it if you do not need it.
Restart OneNote, highlight your text, go to 'Tools' > 'Set Proofing Language' in the top menu, and select your preferred language again. Test by typing new text.
Experience Hassle-Free Document Editing with WPS Office
If you are frustrated by constant proofing language glitches and formatting overrides in Microsoft Office on Mac, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and free alternative with stable, easy-to-manage language settings.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download WPS Office for Mac and run the quick installer.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Office files directly without losing any original formatting.
- 3. Set Default Language: Go to the Review tab, select 'Spell Check', and easily set your permanent default proofing language.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneNote keep changing my proofing language?
OneNote for Mac automatically detects your system's active keyboard layout (Input Source). If your macOS keyboard is set to US English, OneNote assumes you are typing in US English and overrides your manual settings as soon as you start typing.
How do I set a default proofing language in OneNote for Mac?
Unlike Microsoft Word, OneNote does not have a dedicated 'Set as Default' button for proofing languages. You must change your macOS keyboard input source to your preferred language to enforce it as the default across all your notebooks.
Will changing my macOS keyboard layout affect other apps?
Yes, modifying the Input Source in macOS System Settings applies that keyboard layout globally to all applications on your Mac, which helps maintain a consistent spelling and grammar check experience.
Can I use multiple proofing languages on the same OneNote page?
Yes, you can highlight specific text blocks, navigate to Tools > Set Proofing Language, and apply a different language. However, any new text you type outside that block will likely default back to your active macOS keyboard language.
