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How to Change Excel Back to English After an Update
Question details
The user needs to switch the display language of Microsoft Excel back to English after an unexpected language change following a Microsoft 365 update.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Fixing the display language in Excel after a software update altered it without user permission.
- Observed behavior
- Excel's display interface has switched to a non-English language despite English being the configured preference.
Determine whether you are using the Microsoft Excel desktop application or Excel for the web, as the language settings are located in entirely different menus depending on the platform.
Change Language in the Excel Desktop Application
Use this method if you are running the installed desktop version of Microsoft Excel on your computer.
Language settings in the desktop version of Excel control the display language across all your locally installed Microsoft Office applications. Updating it here will restore English for Word and PowerPoint as well.
Launch the Excel desktop application. Click on 'File' in the top ribbon, then select 'Options' from the bottom-left menu.
In the Excel Options dialog box, click on 'Language' in the left-hand navigation pane.
Under the 'Office display language' section, locate and select 'English (United Kingdom)' or your preferred English dialect.
Click 'Set as Preferred', click 'OK' to save your changes, and then completely close and restart Excel for the language change to take effect.
Change Language in Excel for the Web
Follow these steps if you access Excel through a web browser via Microsoft 365.
Switch to WPS Office for a Stable and Hassle-Free Experience
Tired of unexpected language changes and software bugs after Microsoft 365 updates? WPS Office provides a lightweight, free, and highly stable alternative that perfectly supports all your existing Excel files without the frustrating update glitches.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free office suite and choose English during the quick setup.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheets: Directly open any existing .xlsx or .xls file without losing your formatting or data.
- 3. Enjoy Stable Performance: Work seamlessly in a familiar spreadsheet interface without worrying about unexpected region or language resets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Excel language change suddenly?
This typically happens after a Microsoft 365 update when the software incorrectly syncs with system region settings, or an update bug overrides your default English preference.
Does changing the language in Excel also change it for Word and PowerPoint?
Yes, if you are using the desktop application, changing the 'Office display language' inside Excel will automatically apply to all other installed Microsoft Office applications.
What if English is not listed in my Excel language options?
If English isn't available in the list, you will need to click on 'Install additional display languages from Office.com' directly within the Language settings menu to download the English language pack.
How do I fix the display language on Excel for Mac?
For macOS users, Excel utilizes the primary language set in your Mac's System Settings. Navigate to System Settings > General > Language & Region, and ensure English is dragged to the top of your preferred languages list.
