Office Settings & Configuration

Fix PowerPoint Australian English Using Incorrect US Spellings

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users experience incorrect spell check behavior in PowerPoint where Australian English highlights correct localized spellings and suggests US terminology instead.

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Checking spelling and grammar in a presentation using Australian English.
Observed behavior: PowerPoint flags correct Australian spellings (e.g., 'dramatise') as errors and suggests US terms (e.g., 'Zip Code' instead of 'Post Code').

Before you start

Ensure your presentation text is explicitly set to the desired proofing language and check if your Office application is updated to the latest version.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Proofing Language to English (United Kingdom)

Switching the proofing language to UK English bypasses the US spelling suggestions while maintaining non-US spellings like 'dramatise'.

Since the Australian English dictionary in version 2410 inherits incorrect US behaviors, switching to the UK English dictionary provides a reliable workaround for standard British/Australian spelling conventions.

Select the text

Press Ctrl + A to select all the text in your current slide or presentation.

Access language settings

Navigate to the 'Review' tab on the ribbon and click on 'Language', then select 'Set Proofing Language'.

Apply UK English

Scroll through the list, select 'English (United Kingdom)', and click 'OK' to apply.

Solution 2

Add Affected Terms to the Custom Dictionary

Manually add flagged Australian words to your custom dictionary so PowerPoint stops marking them as misspelled.

Solution 3

Submit Feedback via PowerPoint Community

Since this is a known behavior in PowerPoint version 2410, reporting it helps prioritize a fix.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Accurate Spell Checking and Proofing

If Microsoft PowerPoint's proofing dictionary continues to frustrate you, switch to WPS Presentation. WPS Office is a highly compatible, free alternative that supports accurate local proofing languages, ensuring your presentations use the correct spelling without unnecessary hassle.

1. Download and install: Get WPS Office from the official website and run the quick installer.
2. Open your presentation: Launch WPS Presentation and open your existing PowerPoint file to preserve all formatting.
3. Use accurate spell check: Go to the Review tab, select Spell Check, and rely on accurate, localized dictionaries for your region.

Highly accurate built-in spell checker for regional English variants.Seamlessly open, edit, and save Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) files.Lightweight installation and completely free to use.Familiar user interface requiring zero learning curve.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Australian English default to US spelling in PowerPoint?

This is a known issue in certain PowerPoint builds (such as version 2410) where the Australian English proofing tools incorrectly reference US spelling dictionaries instead of localized terms.

How do I set the default proofing language for all new slides?

Go to the Review tab, click Language, select Set Proofing Language, choose your preferred language (like UK English), and click the 'Default' button to apply it to future presentations.

Will adding words to the dictionary affect Word and Excel too?

Yes, when you add a word to the custom dictionary in PowerPoint, it updates the shared Microsoft Office dictionary used by Word, Excel, and Outlook.

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