How to Remove an Extra Language from Microsoft Word Editor
Question details
The user needs to remove an extra or unwanted editing language from the Microsoft Word Editor's proofing and authoring settings.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing editing and proofing languages within Microsoft Office.
- Observed behavior
- Word Editor displays multiple languages because more than one editing language is currently installed or configured in the Office settings.
Before modifying your language preferences, ensure your current documents are saved and check that the language you intend to remove is not actively being used in any open files.
Remove the Unwanted Language via Word Options
Access the Microsoft Office language preferences to remove secondary or unused editing languages from your authoring and proofing settings.
Microsoft Word centrally manages proofing and authoring languages for the entire Office suite. By removing a language from the Word Options menu, it will no longer appear as an available proofing dictionary in the Word Editor.
Launch Microsoft Word. Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, then select 'Options' from the bottom of the left-hand menu.
In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Language' in the left pane to access your Office language preferences.
Under the 'Office authoring languages and proofing' section, select the extra or unwanted language from the list. Click the 'Remove' button, then click 'OK' to save your changes.
How to Manage Proofing Languages in WPS Writer
If you are looking for an intuitive way to manage document languages, WPS Office provides a streamlined interface for adjusting your spell check and proofing settings. You can easily select, change, or set default languages for your documents in WPS Writer.
- 1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your document in the WPS Writer application.
- 2. Navigate to the Review Tab: Click on the 'Review' tab located on the top ribbon menu to access proofing tools.
- 3. Open Spell Check Settings: Click the drop-down arrow under the 'Spell Check' icon and select 'Set Language'.
- 4. Adjust Language Preferences: In the Set Language dialog box, select your preferred proofing language or set a new default language for your current and future documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word Editor automatically switch to another language?
Word has a feature called 'Detect language automatically' which attempts to guess the language you are typing. If it detects words from an extra installed language, it may switch the proofing language. You can disable this by unchecking 'Detect language automatically' in the Language dialog box under the Review tab.
Does removing a language from Word delete it from my computer?
No, removing an authoring or proofing language from Microsoft Word Options only removes it from your Office settings. It does not uninstall the language pack from your Windows operating system.
Why is the 'Remove' button grayed out for a language?
You cannot remove a language if it is currently set as your 'Preferred' or default authoring language. You must set a different language as preferred first, and then you will be able to remove the extra language.
How do I add a language back if I need it later?
To restore a language, go to File > Options > Language in Word. Click on 'Add a Language' under the Office authoring languages and proofing section, select the desired language from the list, and click Add.
