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2jazzyjazzj's avatar
2jazzyjazzj
Copper Contributor
Oct 02, 2023

Excel language

Hello Team, 

I would like to change my Excel from a German to an English version. For clarification: my Excel is already in the English language. However, when it comes to formatting, it is still in German. For example instead of typing = SUM(A1,A2,A3) as you would in the English version, I must type = SUM(A1;A2;A3) for my equation to work because my excel still only accepts german formatting. I don't know how to change this! 

 

I have tried going to tools and changing the general language to English as well. I currently use Excel as a software downloaded on my mac. 

 

Would appreciate the help!

excel
  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Gold Contributor
    Oct 02, 2023

    2jazzyjazzj 

    You are experiencing a regional settings issue in your Excel for Mac, where the default list separator is set to a semicolon (";") instead of a comma (","). This can affect Excel formulas, including functions like SUM, AVERAGE, etc.

    To change the list separator in Excel for Mac, follow these steps:

    1. Open Excel: Launch Microsoft Excel on your Mac.
    2. Go to Excel Preferences: Click on "Excel" in the top menu bar, and then select "Preferences."
    3. Language & Region: In the Preferences window, under "Personal Settings," select "Language & Region."
    4. Region Settings: In the "Language & Region" settings, you should see an option called "Region." Change the region setting to an English-speaking region (e.g., United States, United Kingdom).
    5. Restart Excel: Close and restart Excel to apply the changes.

    Changing the region setting should update the list separator to a comma (",") for Excel, and you should be able to use English-style formulas with commas as separators (e.g., =SUM(A1,A2,A3)).

     

    If the issue persists after changing the region setting, you may need to check the macOS system preferences as well:

    1. Open macOS System Preferences: Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select "System Preferences."
    2. Language & Region: In the System Preferences window, select "Language & Region."
    3. Advanced Settings: Click the "Advanced..." button in the bottom-right corner of the Language & Region settings.
    4. List Separator: In the Advanced settings, check the "Decimal separator" and "Thousands separator" fields. Make sure they are set to "." and ",", respectively.
    5. Restart Excel: After making changes, close and restart Excel to apply the new settings.

    By adjusting both the Excel preferences and the macOS system preferences, you should be able to configure Excel to use English formatting with commas as list separators. The text and steps were edited with the help of AI.

     

    My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

     

    Hope this will help you.

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