Forum Discussion
Word default language
How to change the default language in Microsoft Word to English UK without changing my default language on my computer e.g. using US English. My environment is Windows 11, Office 365 latest version.
Hi Mark,
Unfortunately, this is how Word works and has worked as long as I can remember.
The language set for Windows over-rides the Word settings in a new document.
See Proofing Language Keeps Changing - Solutions - How can I keep my proofing language from changing?
You can create a blank template with the initial style set to be EnglishUK and with the styles in the document set to be English UK. If you create a new document based on that, it will use English UK as the proofing language. There is a macro on the linked page you can use to set all styles in a document/template to have English UK as the proofing language.
It is possible, if you want to have that template be the one used in response to Ctrl+N in Word or have it on the QAT. Easy New Document Template Package
In Word, under File>Options>Language, move English (United Kingdom) to the top of the list. If it is not in that list, use the Add a Language button to select and add it.
Also, for each Style that you are using use Modify Style Format>Language to set English (United Kingdom) as the proofing language for each Style. Before dismissing the Modify Style dialog, select the button for "New documents based on this template.
Hi Doug, many thanks for your prompt response.
Yes I had my settings already set as per your great suggestions, thank you.
And Yes, I then selected "New documents based on this template".
My exact issue is hard to explain via text or screen shots, but here goes.
1) When I open a blank word doc that originates from my Normal.dotm (Word Macro-Enabled Template) located in
The first space/position on the page, of this new blank word doc, where the cursor is flashing, shows the spell checker as English (United States).
2) Then if I highlight that rectangular space with just my mouse moving a fraction to the right, the small greyed out rectangular area appears, as one would expect, (there is no text on the page), the spell checker changes to English (United Kingdom).
3) If I start typing from the first position on the new page where the cursor is flashing, the spell checker stays as English (United States). It is this position, the first space on the page where the cursor is flashing, that I am trying to have the spell checker read as English (United Kingdom).
I hope that makes sense and again many thanks for your help. Please note this is the first time I am using this service so any suggestion in my posting techniques, or lack of, are well received by me.
Kind Regards
Mark Dent
Hi Mark,
Unfortunately, this is how Word works and has worked as long as I can remember.
The language set for Windows over-rides the Word settings in a new document.
See Proofing Language Keeps Changing - Solutions - How can I keep my proofing language from changing?
You can create a blank template with the initial style set to be EnglishUK and with the styles in the document set to be English UK. If you create a new document based on that, it will use English UK as the proofing language. There is a macro on the linked page you can use to set all styles in a document/template to have English UK as the proofing language.
It is possible, if you want to have that template be the one used in response to Ctrl+N in Word or have it on the QAT. Easy New Document Template Package
