Office Settings & Configuration

How to Set English UK Proofing Language in OneNote

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to configure OneNote to use English (United Kingdom) as the default proofing language so that correct UK spellings are not flagged as errors.

Product: OneNote
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Typing and spell-checking notes in OneNote using UK English spelling conventions.
Observed behavior: OneNote flags correct UK spellings (such as "recognised") as errors because the proofing language is defaulting to US English, often overridden by the Windows keyboard or OS region settings.

Before you start

Ensure that the English (United Kingdom) language pack is installed in your Windows Time & Language settings, as OneNote syncs its proofing dictionary directly with your active Windows keyboard layout.

Solution 1Recommended

Switch the Windows Keyboard Layout to English (UK)

OneNote dynamically links its proofing language to the active Windows keyboard layout. Selecting the UK keyboard before typing prevents text from being checked as US English.

Windows often overrides Office application language settings based on the currently selected input method. If your Windows keyboard is set to English (US), OneNote will automatically apply the US dictionary to newly typed text, regardless of your default Office settings.

Access the Taskbar Language Menu

Click on the language abbreviation (e.g., ENG) located on the right side of the Windows taskbar, next to the system clock.

Select the UK Keyboard

Click on 'English (United Kingdom)' from the pop-up list of installed keyboard layouts.

Type in OneNote

Open OneNote and click on the page to begin typing. The proofing language will now automatically register as English (UK).

Keyboard Shortcut: You can quickly toggle between installed Windows keyboard layouts by pressing the Windows Key + Spacebar.

Solution 2

Update Office Authoring Language Preferences

If changing the Windows keyboard layout does not resolve the issue, setting English (UK) as the preferred Office authoring language forces the suite to prioritize UK spelling.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Hassle-Free Spell Checking with WPS Office

If you are frustrated by Microsoft OneNote's tendency to override your language settings based on Windows system defaults, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides an intuitive, unified platform where setting a default proofing language like UK English is straightforward, permanent, and independent of complex system configurations.

1. Open the Review Tab: Launch WPS Writer and navigate to the 'Review' tab on the top ribbon.
2. Access Spell Check Settings: Click the 'Spell Check' dropdown and select 'Set Language'.
3. Apply UK English: Choose 'English (United Kingdom)' from the list and click 'Set as Default' to ensure all future documents use UK spelling.

Set your default document proofing language without system-level keyboard conflicts.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats.Lightweight architecture that runs smoothly across Windows, Mac, and Linux.Clean, tabbed interface for managing all your notes and documents in one window.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneNote keep reverting to US English after I change it?

OneNote is designed to automatically detect your current Windows keyboard layout and apply the corresponding proofing language. If your Windows keyboard reverts to English (US) or is set as the system default, OneNote will switch the dictionary back to US English as you type.

Can I set the UK proofing language for a specific block of text in OneNote?

Yes. Highlight the specific text you want to check, go to the 'Review' tab on the ribbon, click 'Language', and choose 'Set Proofing Language'. From there, you can manually select English (United Kingdom) for that specific selection.

What should I do if English (UK) is missing from my Office settings?

You need to download the English (UK) language accessory pack from Microsoft. Go to File > Options > Language in OneNote, click 'Add a Language' under the authoring languages section, and follow the prompts to download and install the UK language pack.

Does changing the Windows display language affect OneNote spelling?

Not directly. The Windows display language changes menus, dialog boxes, and system text. It is the keyboard input language (found in your Region & Language settings) that primarily controls the proofing dictionary behavior in Office apps like OneNote.

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