PDF Editing Issues

How to Set or Verify Document Language in Adobe Acrobat DC

Ayan Masood Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to check and change the document language settings of a PDF after exporting it from Microsoft Word using the Adobe tab.

How to Set or Verify the Document Language in Adobe Acrobat DC

Product: Adobe Acrobat DC
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Verifying and updating PDF metadata and reading language after exporting a Word document to PDF using Adobe tools.
Observed behavior: The user has successfully exported the document to PDF but needs to access the properties in Acrobat to verify or redefine the language metadata.

Before you start

Ensure you have Adobe Acrobat DC installed, as the free Adobe Reader may have limited capabilities for editing document metadata. Also, be sure to save any pending changes in your Microsoft Word document before exporting it to a PDF.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify and Change Document Language via Document Properties

Use the built-in Document Properties in Adobe Acrobat DC to easily view and modify the reading language of your PDF file.

Setting the correct document language is crucial for screen readers and accessibility tools to interpret the text accurately. While the Adobe tab in Word handles the export process, the reading language setting must be verified and adjusted within Acrobat itself.

Open the Exported PDF File

Launch Adobe Acrobat DC and open the PDF file you recently exported from Microsoft Word.

Access Document Properties

Navigate to the top menu, click on 'File', and select 'Properties' from the drop-down list to open the metadata window.

Navigate to Advanced Settings

In the Document Properties dialog box, click on the 'Advanced' tab located at the top of the window.

Set or Verify the Language

Look for the 'Reading Options' section near the bottom of the Advanced tab. Click the 'Language' drop-down menu and select your desired document language, then click 'OK' to save your changes.

Verify and Change Document Language via Document Properties

Accessibility Tip: If your desired language is not listed in the drop-down menu, you can manually type the correct ISO 639 code for that language into the field.

Manage PDF Properties Easily

Edit PDF Metadata and Language with WPS Office

WPS Office provides a comprehensive PDF toolkit that lets you read, edit, and manage PDF properties effortlessly. You can export Word documents to PDF and manage document metadata directly within a single, lightweight application.

1. Open PDF in WPS: Launch WPS Office and open your target PDF document.
2. Access Properties: Click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner, and select 'Document Properties' (or 'Properties').
3. Modify Metadata: Review the document metadata and customize the file properties as needed for your workflow, then save the document.

Seamlessly view and edit PDF document properties and basic metadata.High compatibility with Microsoft Office formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and standard Adobe PDF.Lightweight, user-friendly interface with built-in PDF to Word conversion tools.Free basic PDF editing and viewing features for everyday productivity tasks.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is setting the document language in a PDF important?

Setting the correct document language allows screen readers and other assistive technologies to use the appropriate phonetic pronunciation and dictionary, making your PDF accessible to users with visual impairments.

Does exporting from Word automatically set the PDF language?

Usually, Adobe Acrobat retains the default language settings from Microsoft Word during the export process. However, it is highly recommended to manually verify the properties in Acrobat DC to ensure the language metadata transferred correctly.

Can I set multiple languages for different parts of the PDF?

Yes, while the Document Properties set the primary language for the entire file, you can specify different languages for specific text elements using the Tags panel in Adobe Acrobat DC for advanced accessibility.

Where do I find the Adobe tab in Microsoft Word?

If you have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer, the Adobe PDF tool usually integrates as an add-in. You can find it on the main ribbon in Microsoft Word under the 'Acrobat' or 'Adobe PDF' tab, which provides quick export and preference options.

PDF Troubleshooting