Office Settings & Configuration

How to Set English (Australia) as Default Proofing Language in Office

Camila Milosovich Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to configure their Office applications and OneNote to use Australian English for spelling and grammar checks by default.

How to Set English (Australia) as the Default Office Proofing Language

Product: Microsoft 365 and OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting the default proofing language to a specific English dialect across desktop and web-based Office applications.
Observed behavior: The default proofing language is not set to Australian English, and the user cannot find the language settings in the web version since it often relies on system configurations instead of in-app menus.

Before you start

Verify whether you are using the desktop version of Office or the web-based Microsoft 365, as the settings locations differ significantly between the two.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Proofing Language in Desktop Office Settings

Set the default authoring and proofing language directly through the application's options menu for desktop versions of Word, Excel, and OneNote.

This method applies to installed desktop versions of Microsoft Office. Changing the default language here will apply to new documents, but existing text must be updated manually.

Access Office Options

Open your Office application, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.

Add Australian English

Click on 'Language' in the left sidebar. Under the 'Office authoring languages and proofing' section, click 'Add a Language', select 'English (Australia)', and set it as your preferred language.

Apply to Existing Text

To change the language of an existing document or OneNote page, press Ctrl+A twice to select all text. Navigate to the 'Review' tab, click 'Language' > 'Set Proofing Language', choose 'English (Australia)', and click OK.

Change Proofing Language in Desktop Office Settings

Apply to multiple notebooks: After changing these settings, test both a new page and another notebook to ensure the Australian English dictionary is actively highlighting spelling errors.

Solution 2

Adjust Language Settings for Office Online Apps

Since web versions of Office lack a dedicated File > Options menu, you must adjust your system and browser preferences.

Easily Manage Proofing Languages with WPS Office

WPS Office provides a straightforward, user-friendly built-in spell checker that effortlessly supports various English dialects, including Australian English. You can switch your proofing language anytime without complex system configuration.

1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Writer and navigate to the 'Review' tab on the top ribbon.
2. Access Spell Check Settings: Click the small dropdown arrow next to 'Spell Check' and select 'Set Language'.
3. Select Australian English: Choose 'English (Australia)' from the list of available languages.
4. Set as Default: Click the 'Set as Default' button at the bottom of the dialog box, then click OK to save your changes.

Built-in dictionary support for Australian English proofingFully compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx)Simple, tab-based menu structure that is consistent across both desktop and web experiences

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the web version of OneNote have a File > Options menu?

Microsoft 365 online apps have a simplified interface compared to desktop versions. They do not have dedicated language option menus and instead inherit proofing language preferences from your Windows keyboard or browser settings.

How do I apply a new proofing language to an existing document?

Changing the default language usually only applies to new text. To change existing text, select all content (Ctrl+A), navigate to the Review tab, click Language, choose Set Proofing Language, and pick your desired dialect.

What if English (Australia) is missing from my proofing language list?

If the language is not listed in your desktop application, you may need to install the corresponding Language Accessory Pack from the official Microsoft website or through your application's Language settings menu.

Can I use different proofing languages in different sections of the same document?

Yes, you can manually highlight specific paragraphs or sections of text, go to Review > Language > Set Proofing Language, and assign a different language to just that selection.

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