Forum Discussion
Word default language
Hi Mark,
Unfortunately, this is how Word works and has worked for 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.
[Edit January 2025]
The above does not work reliably unless there is some content in that new template that is correctly formatted as English UK. That content must be overwritten or typed over, not deleted directly, to maintain the language setting.
My recommendation is to use either a MacroButton Field Prompt or a Plain Text Content Control. The MacroButton Field Prompt disappears as soon as you start typing in it. The Content Control's properties should be set to delete when edited.
See this thread in Microsoft Answers for more about needing content in the template.
[End edit]
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 for 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.
[Edit January 2025]
The above does not work reliably unless there is some content in that new template that is correctly formatted as English UK. That content must be overwritten or typed over, not deleted directly, to maintain the language setting.
My recommendation is to use either a MacroButton Field Prompt or a Plain Text Content Control. The MacroButton Field Prompt disappears as soon as you start typing in it. The Content Control's properties should be set to delete when edited.
See this thread in Microsoft Answers for more about needing content in the template.
[End edit]
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
Just a note that I updated this reply with more information. The updated information is for when the Operating System Language must be different from the desired proofing language.
- Dear All,
Many thanks for all the ideas, but I have found a solution.
My solution is:
1) Find an old word doc where the flashing cursor, when in the first position on the page, reads English (United Kingdom) for the spell check type.
2) Use this word doc as your new Normal.dotm and make all the changes you want e.g. margins, footers, style etc…to this document.
3) Save this doc as Normal.dotm, with the file type being “Word Macro-Enabled Template” (*.dotm) in the location of C > Users > "Your Folder Name" > App Data > Roaming > Microsoft > Templates.
4) Ensure you use this newly created file to replace the existing Normal.dotm found in Templates Folder.
5) Hopefully “Presto” that should work.Hi Mark,
You cannot save a document as the Normal Template and have a fully-functioning version of Microsoft Word. Word puts extra components in the template that you cannot create on your own.
You can modify a Normal.dotm template but should not add any text to it including in headers or footers.
Earlier I gave you a link to my Letterhead AddIn(s) - Default New Document. Please look at that. It explains and gives examples of how to use a different template as your default new document.
- Dear All,
Many thanks for all the ideas, but I have found a solution.
My solution is:
1) Find an old word doc where the flashing cursor, when in the first position on the page, reads English (United Kingdom) for the spell check type.
2) Use this word doc as your new Normal.dotm and make all the changes you want e.g. margins, footers, style etc…to this document.
3) Save this word doc as Normal.dotm, with the file type being “Word Macro-Enabled Template” (*.dotm) in the location of C > Users > "Your Folder Name" > App Data > Roaming > Microsoft > Templates
4) Ensure this newly created file, replaces the existing Normal.dotm found in Templates Folder.
5) Hopefully “Presto” that should work.