How to Change Language in Adobe Acrobat (English to Dutch)
Question details
The user wants to change the Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader interface language from English to Dutch to better understand the software's messages.

- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Navigating the user interface of an installed PDF application.
- Observed behavior
- The interface and menus are currently displaying in English, making it difficult for the user to understand and operate the software.
Verify whether you are using Adobe Acrobat Pro, Adobe Acrobat Standard, or the free Adobe Reader, as the availability of specific language packs like Dutch may depend on your installed version.
Change the Application Language via Preferences
Use the built-in preferences menu to select a different installed language for the software interface.
Adobe Acrobat and Reader often come with multiple languages pre-installed if you used a Multilingual User Interface (MUI) installer. You can easily switch between these languages through the Preferences menu.
Launch Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader. Click on 'Edit' in the top menu bar and select 'Preferences' from the drop-down list. Alternatively, press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac).
In the Preferences dialog box, look at the Categories pane on the left side and click on 'Language'.
Under the 'Application Language' section, click the drop-down menu. Select 'Choose at application startup' or directly select your preferred language (e.g., Dutch) if it is listed.
Click 'OK' to save your changes. Close and restart Adobe Acrobat. If you selected 'Choose at application startup', a prompt will appear asking you to select your desired language before the software fully opens.

Reinstall with the Correct Language Pack
If your preferred language is missing from the settings, you will need to reinstall the software using an installer that includes that specific language.
View and Edit PDFs in Your Preferred Language with WPS Office
If you are struggling with complex language settings in other PDF software, WPS Office offers a powerful, built-in PDF reader and editor that supports multiple interface languages. You can easily switch the UI language to suit your needs while managing, annotating, or editing PDF documents without hassle.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office from the official website and complete the installation process.
- 2. Access Settings: Open WPS Office and click on the 'Settings' icon (gear icon) located in the top right corner of the homepage.
- 3. Change Language: Select 'Language' from the menu to open the language settings dialog, choose your preferred language from the list, and click 'Set'.
- 4. Restart and Use: Restart WPS Office to apply the new language settings, then open any PDF document to view and edit it in your chosen language.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my preferred language not showing up in Adobe Acrobat's preferences?
This usually happens if the specific language pack was not included during the initial installation. You may need to modify your installation via the Control Panel or reinstall the software using an installer that includes your preferred language.
Does changing the Adobe Reader language translate the PDF content?
No, changing the application language only changes the user interface, such as menus, buttons, and dialog boxes. The actual text content inside the PDF document will remain in its original language.
How do I change the language if Adobe Acrobat is stuck in a language I don't understand?
You can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (Mac) to open Preferences. Click the 'Language' category (usually the 7th option from the top on the left pane), look for the 'Application Language' dropdown, select the 'Choose at application startup' option (usually the bottom choice), click the OK button at the bottom right, and restart the app.
Can I install multiple language packs for Adobe Acrobat?
Yes, if you use the MUI (Multilingual User Interface) installer for Adobe Acrobat, you can install multiple language packs. You can then switch between them by configuring the 'Choose at application startup' setting in the Language preferences.




