How to Set Microsoft Word for Mac Proofing Language to US English
Question details
The user needs to set and maintain the proofing language as US English in Microsoft Word for Mac.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- The user selects US English for document proofing, but the application keeps unexpectedly reverting the language to Arabic.
- Observed behavior
- The proofing language changes back to Arabic instead of remaining on the selected US English setting, affecting spell check and grammar tools.
Check your Mac's system language settings to ensure US English is selected as the primary language and that your keyboard input source matches, as Word often inherits default language preferences directly from macOS.
Apply Proofing Language to Existing Text
Word applies language settings at the character level, meaning you must highlight your existing text before changing the language to prevent it from reverting.
In Microsoft Word, language is treated as a text formatting attribute, much like bold or italic formatting. If you change the language without selecting any text, it will only apply to the very next word you type.
To fix an existing document where the language keeps reverting to Arabic, you must apply the US English setting to the specific characters.
Open your document in Word for Mac and press 'Cmd + A' on your keyboard to highlight all the text.
Navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'Tools', and then select 'Language' from the dropdown menu.
Scroll through the language list, click on 'English (US)', and ensure the 'Do not check spelling or grammar' box is unchecked.
Click 'OK' to apply the US English proofing language to all selected text in your document.
Set US English as the Default for New Documents
Modify the Normal template so all future documents automatically use US English for proofing.
Troubleshoot Interfering Add-ins using Mac Safe Mode
If the language continues to revert after modifying the settings, an add-in or background process might be interfering with Word.
How to Set Proofing Language in WPS Writer
If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with language detection, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and reliable alternative for Mac users. You can easily lock your proofing language to US English in WPS Writer without worrying about it reverting to other languages.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for Mac for free and install it on your device.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document.
- 3. Select the Text: Press 'Cmd + A' to highlight the entire document.
- 4. Set the Proofing Language: Go to the 'Review' tab, click on 'Spell Check', select 'Set Language', choose 'English (United States)', and click 'OK'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Word for Mac keep changing to Arabic?
Word for Mac often changes languages based on the keyboard layout currently active in macOS. It can also happen if the text you are typing or pasting carries hidden formatting from an Arabic language source. Ensure your macOS keyboard input source is set to US English.
How do I stop Word from automatically detecting the language?
You can disable automatic language detection by selecting your text, going to 'Tools' > 'Language' in the top menu bar, and unchecking the box next to 'Detect language automatically' before clicking OK.
Can I use paragraph styles to lock the proofing language?
Yes, you can modify a specific Style (such as the Normal style) to enforce a language. Right-click the style in the Home ribbon, select 'Modify', go to the 'Format' dropdown, select 'Language', and choose US English. This ensures all text typed in that style uses the correct proofing language.
