How to Make Excel Menus Display in English Instead of French
Question details
The user wants to keep the Excel interface and ribbon in English, even when opening workbooks that were originally created in French.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Opening a shared workbook originally created in French by colleagues.
- Observed behavior
- The Excel menus, ribbon, and commands automatically change to French instead of remaining in the default English configuration.
Save your current work and close all open Office applications, as changing display languages requires a full restart of Excel to take effect.
Change Office Display Language in Excel for Windows
Set English as the default display language in Excel Options to override any document-specific language changes.
The language of an individual workbook does not normally dictate the Office ribbon language. Ensuring English is strictly set as your preferred display language will prevent the UI from adopting the document's authoring language.
Launch Microsoft Excel. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and then select 'Options' at the bottom of the left-hand menu.
In the Excel Options dialog box, click on 'Language' in the left-hand navigation pane.
Under the 'Office display language' section, find 'English' in the list. Select it and click the 'Set as Preferred' button.
Click 'OK' at the bottom of the dialog box, then completely close and reopen Excel for the English interface changes to apply.
Change Office Language on Mac
For Mac users, Office applications typically follow the primary language set in macOS System Settings rather than in-app options.
Try WPS Office for a Seamless, Multi-Language Experience
Tired of complicated language settings and unexpected interface changes? WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Office. It seamlessly opens Excel files in your preferred language without altering your workspace UI.
- 1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the official WPS Office website to find the free installer.
- 2. Download the Software: Click the 'Free Download' button to get the installation package for your specific operating system.
- 3. Install and Open: Run the installer, follow the simple on-screen instructions, and open your shared spreadsheets without worrying about unexpected language changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Excel language change when I open a shared file?
Typically, the Office display language is independent of the file's authoring language. However, if your Office relies on default Windows region settings or has a conflicting language pack installed that matches the document's origin, the UI might switch. Enforcing a specific 'Preferred' language in Excel Options prevents this auto-switching behavior.
What is the difference between Office display language and proofing language?
The display language dictates the text used in menus, buttons, ribbons, and dialog boxes across the software interface. The proofing language is used specifically by the spelling and grammar checker to evaluate the actual text you type inside the spreadsheet.
Do I need to pay for an English language pack in Excel?
No, Microsoft provides Office language accessory packs completely free of charge. You can download and install them directly from the 'Language' settings menu within Excel by clicking 'Install additional display languages'.
