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How to Fix Preferred Proofing Language Not Working in OneNote
Question details
The user is unable to set their preferred proofing language in OneNote, as the application persistently reverts to another language despite changing the default settings.
- Product
- OneNote for Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to change and apply a specific proofing language (e.g., English) for checking spelling and grammar in OneNote.
- Observed behavior
- OneNote continues to use an incorrect proofing language (e.g., Portuguese) instead of the selected preferred language, ignoring user preferences.
Ensure that you have installed the correct language accessory pack for Microsoft Office and that your Windows keyboard layout matches the language you intend to use for proofing.
Report the Language Bug via OneNote Feedback
Since this is a known, reproducible bug in OneNote for Microsoft 365, the most effective long-term approach is to report it directly to the product team so they can issue a patch.
Microsoft has acknowledged that OneNote sometimes struggles to retain the selected proofing language, often defaulting to the system's regional formats or exhibiting buggy behavior where it reverts to unexpected languages like Portuguese.
Reporting the bug directly through the application sends diagnostic data to the developers, helping them prioritize a fix.
Launch OneNote for Microsoft 365 on your computer and open any notebook.
Navigate to the top ribbon menu and click on the 'Help' tab.
Click on 'Feedback' and select 'Report a problem'. Provide specific details about how the proofing language reverts (e.g., from English to Portuguese) and submit the report.
Manually Set the Proofing Language for Selected Text
As a temporary workaround until the software bug is patched, you can manually force the proofing language for specific blocks of text in your notes.
Try WPS Office for Seamless, Bug-Free Document Editing
If you are frustrated by persistent language bugs and settings not saving in Microsoft Office applications, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and reliable alternative with robust multi-language proofing tools, entirely for free.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install and Launch: Run the installer and launch WPS Office to access Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentation tools.
- 3. Set Proofing Language: Go to the Review tab in WPS Writer to easily set and lock in your preferred spell-check language without unexpected reversions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneNote keep changing my proofing language automatically?
OneNote often detects the keyboard input language or operating system language automatically. However, in some versions of OneNote for Microsoft 365, there is a known bug where the software ignores the user's preferred proofing language and reverts to a different language, such as Portuguese.
How do I turn off automatic language detection in OneNote?
Unlike Microsoft Word, OneNote does not have a straightforward 'Detect language automatically' checkbox in its language settings. To ensure the correct language is used, you must manually highlight the text, go to the Review tab, select Language, and apply the correct proofing language.
Can I set a default proofing language for all new pages in OneNote?
You can change the default editing language in OneNote by going to File > Options > Language and setting your preferred language as the default. However, please note that existing text might retain its original language formatting, and due to the current bug, you may still need to apply the language manually to new text containers.
