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How to Set macOS and Excel Languages Separately
Question details
Configure macOS to use one primary language while retaining different regional date and number formatting specifically for Excel for Mac.
- Product
- Excel for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- A user wants their Mac operating system to display in US English but needs Microsoft Excel to follow a different regional format for localized numbers, currencies, and dates.
- Observed behavior
- By default, Excel inherits the macOS primary system language and regional formatting, which overrides localized spreadsheet formatting unless configured separately.
Ensure your macOS is updated to the latest version, as the exact location of the Language & Region settings may differ slightly in older operating systems (like macOS Monterey or earlier).
Configure App-Specific Language and Region in macOS Settings
Use the built-in macOS System Settings to set a specific language for Microsoft Excel while maintaining your preferred regional formatting system-wide.
Modern macOS versions allow you to assign a unique display language to individual applications without changing the primary language of your operating system.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (or System Preferences).
Click on General in the left sidebar, then select Language & Region on the right side.
Under the 'Region' dropdown, select your preferred local region (e.g., Denmark or another country). This ensures that dates, numbers, and currencies use this specific format globally.
Scroll down to the 'Applications' section. Click the '+' button, select Microsoft Excel from the dropdown list, and choose English (or your preferred UI language). Restart Excel to apply the changes.
Force a Specific Locale via macOS Terminal
An advanced method using Terminal to override global locale preferences, keeping an English UI while enforcing another region's formatting.
Try WPS Office for Easy Multilingual Document Management
If managing language and regional settings for Microsoft Excel on Mac feels overly complicated, WPS Office offers a powerful, free, and straightforward alternative. Enjoy seamless language management and perfect formatting compatibility without wrestling with system configurations.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Get the official WPS Office for Mac installer from the website and complete the quick installation.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and seamlessly open any of your existing Excel files with formatting fully preserved.
- 3. Customize Your View: Easily adjust your display language and cell formatting directly within the WPS Office application settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the language for Excel without changing my Mac's system language?
Yes, modern versions of macOS allow you to set app-specific languages. Go to System Settings > General > Language & Region, scroll down to Applications, click the '+' icon, and add Microsoft Excel with your preferred language.
Why is Excel ignoring my macOS regional date formatting?
Excel sometimes defaults to the formatting rules of its display language rather than the system region. Ensure your macOS Region settings are applied, or manually format the cells in Excel by right-clicking them, selecting 'Format Cells', and choosing the correct locale for your dates and numbers.
What does the 'en_DK' locale code mean in Terminal?
In macOS terminal commands, 'en' stands for the English language, and 'DK' represents the Denmark region. Using 'en_DK' forces the system to display English text while applying Danish formatting rules for numbers, dates, and currencies.
