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How to Change Microsoft 365 Programs from Chinese to English on Mac
Question details
The user needs to change the interface language of their Microsoft 365 applications on a Mac from Chinese to English.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- The Microsoft 365 interface displays in Chinese even though the user prefers an English layout.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft 365 applications remain in Chinese despite the system's preferred language being set to English, requiring changes within the Office app preferences.
Ensure your macOS system language preferences include English, and save any open documents before making changes, as you will need to restart your applications.
Change Preferred Languages within Word Preferences
This is the primary method to switch your Microsoft 365 interface language from Chinese to English.
Microsoft Office for Mac sometimes retains East Asian language settings independently of your macOS system language. By adjusting the internal application preferences, you can force the suite to display in English.
Launch Microsoft Word on your Mac. You must make this change from within an Office application.
Click on 'Word' in the top Apple menu bar, then select 'Preferences' from the drop-down menu.
Click on 'International' (or 'East Asian Languages', depending on your specific Office version).
Select 'English' from the list of preferred languages and move it to the very top of the list.
Close the Preferences window, fully quit Microsoft Word, and restart the application to apply the new English interface.
Reinstall Microsoft 365 with Correct Language Settings
If adjusting the internal preferences fails, you may need to perform a clean reinstallation.
Switch to WPS Office for a Seamless Multi-Language Experience
Avoid complex language configuration and layout issues with WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and completely free alternative to Microsoft Office for your Mac, supporting seamless language switching out of the box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my Mac Office apps in Chinese even when my Mac system is set to English?
Microsoft Office applications have their own internal language prioritization. If an East Asian language pack was installed or Chinese was prioritized during the initial setup, the apps will bypass your macOS system settings.
Do I need to change language settings individually for Excel and PowerPoint?
No. Typically, updating the preferred language settings under the International tab in Word will automatically apply the English interface to all other installed Microsoft 365 applications upon restart.
Where can I find the 'East Asian Languages' setting?
Open Word, click 'Word' in your top Mac menu bar, select 'Preferences', and look for 'East Asian Languages' under the Authoring and Proofing Tools section.
