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How to Fix Incorrect Excel Date Language and Regional Settings
Question details
The user needs to correct the date language in Excel and prevent Windows regional settings from reverting after every restart.
- Product
- Excel for Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Following a Microsoft update, Excel displays dates in an unexpected language, and system regional settings keep reverting to incorrect defaults after a computer restart.
- Observed behavior
- Excel dates are shown in the wrong language. Manually fixing the Windows regional settings is only temporary, as they reset upon every system reboot.
Before adjusting your language preferences, ensure you have saved all open Excel workbooks and that your computer is connected to the internet to run the Windows Update troubleshooter if needed.
Change the Preferred Display Language in Excel
Manually override the Windows preference setting within Excel to force it to use English (or your preferred language).
By default, Excel may match your Windows display language. Setting a specific language directly in Excel will ensure that dates and menus appear correctly, regardless of your system's current regional glitch.
Launch Excel and open any workbook. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the left-hand menu.
In the Excel Options dialog box, click on 'Language' in the left pane to view your current Office language configurations.
Under 'Office display language', select 'English' (or your target language). Click the 'Move Up' button to place it at the very top of the list as the preferred language.
Click 'OK' to save your changes. Restart the Excel application for the new language settings to take effect on your date formats.
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter
If your Windows regional settings revert after every restart, a bugged Windows update may be the cause. Running the troubleshooter can resolve underlying system configuration issues.
Avoid Update Glitches with WPS Office
Tired of unpredictable Microsoft updates changing your spreadsheet formatting? Switch to WPS Office. It provides an independent, stable language configuration environment that won't randomly reset after system reboots, ensuring your dates and data always look exactly how you expect.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for Windows.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install WPS Spreadsheet on your computer.
- 3. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing Excel files smoothly without worrying about formatting or language changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Excel dates show in a different language than my Windows system?
Excel may be configured to use a specific display language that differs from your Windows regional settings. You can check and modify this by going to File > Options > Language in Excel and setting your preferred language to the top of the list.
How do I stop Windows regional settings from changing after restarting?
Repeated changes after a reboot are often caused by incomplete or corrupted Windows updates. Running the Windows Update troubleshooter from the Settings app usually resolves this system configuration problem. If it continues, reaching out to the Microsoft Community is recommended.
Does changing the Excel display language affect my keyboard layout?
No, changing the Office display language only affects the language used for buttons, menus, and built-in elements like date formatting in Excel. Your Windows keyboard input language remains separate and is managed through Windows Settings.
