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How to Fix Microsoft Lists Date Column Displayed in the Wrong Language

Natalie Taylor Oct 16, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to correct the display language and format of a date column in Microsoft Lists.

How to Fix Microsoft Lists Date Column Displayed in the Wrong Language

Product: Microsoft Lists
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Updating language preferences to fix date column formatting in a Microsoft List.
Observed behavior: The date column continues to show weekday names or date formats in the wrong language (e.g., German) even after the Microsoft account language and regional settings have been modified.

Before you start

Keep in mind that language and regional changes in Microsoft 365 can take several hours (sometimes over 10 hours) to fully propagate across all connected services.

Solution 1Recommended

Update SharePoint Site Language and Regional Settings

Since Microsoft Lists is built on SharePoint, updating the backend site regional settings is often necessary to fix list column languages.

If changing your personal Microsoft account language did not resolve the issue, the Microsoft List is likely inheriting regional settings from its host SharePoint site. Adjusting the site's default locale will force the date columns to adopt the correct format.

Wait for initial propagation

Allow up to 10-24 hours for your Microsoft 365 account language changes to fully sync across all applications.

Access SharePoint Site Settings

Open the SharePoint site where the List is hosted. Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner, select 'Site information', and then click 'View all site settings'.

Modify Language Settings

Under the 'Site Administration' section, click on 'Language Settings'. Ensure that your preferred language (e.g., English UK) is set as the default language or added as an available translation.

Adjust Regional Settings

Go back to the Site Settings menu. Under 'Site Administration', select 'Regional settings'. Change the 'Locale' dropdown to match your desired region and date format, then click 'OK' to save.

Update SharePoint Site Language and Regional Settings

Propagation Time: Changes made to SharePoint site settings may take a short while to reflect in your Microsoft Lists interface. Refresh the page after a few minutes to check the date column.

Solution 2

Isolate the Issue to a Specific List or User

Determine if the wrong language format is a global issue or isolated to a single list or user account.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Microsoft Lists date column show the wrong language after changing account settings?

Language and regional updates in Microsoft 365 can take several hours to propagate across all apps, including Lists. Additionally, Lists are tied to SharePoint, meaning the site's backend regional settings can override your personal account preferences.

How do I force Microsoft Lists to use my preferred date format?

You need to ensure both your personal Microsoft 365 account language is set correctly and the underlying SharePoint site's Regional Settings match your preferred locale under Site Settings > Regional settings.

Can I have different languages for different Lists in the same site?

No, SharePoint regional settings apply at the site level. All Lists hosted within the same site will inherit the same default regional settings and date formats.

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